Last year’s festivities saw Filipinos meet with Tongans, Germans, Scots and Vanuatuans – just to mention a few – to sample international culture through the universal language of food, song and dance.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall announced the $5000 funding to enhance the event, which he said had quickly become a Glen Innes tradition.

“Although Celtic history is it’s lifeblood, the Glen Innes community welcomes people from all cultures and walks of life,” he said.

“Harmony Day is a great way to celebrate the many people that go into making Glen Innes a diverse town, through food, music, dance and art.”

The free event is held in collaboration between Arts North West, Glen Innes Severn Council and Refugee Welcome Glen Innes.

Arts North West Project Officer Nicci Parry-Jones said the benefits of the event have been felt year-round.

“The wonderful thing about last year was the range of people who came,” Ms Parry-Jones said.

“There were people from Noumea, Fiji, Pakistan, Japan and PNG and quite a few of those were mums with small children – and from that occasion, they now meet regularly.

“From providing a welcoming space, they realised they have a lot in common”

This year, it will be observed nationwide on Tuesday, March 21.

The Glen Innes event will be held two days earlier on Sunday, March 19.

With the funding, Ms Parry-Jones says Arts North West have now organised a headline act.

“The funding has enabled us to ask Linsey Pollak to bring his newly formed Balkanic band to Glen Innes.

“He’s a very well-known multi-instrumentalist and often performs with musicians around the world,” Ms Parry-Jones said.

“It’s a free event, and last year we held it, Refugee Welcome Glen Innes volunteers paid for a lot of goods out of pocket.

“This year, we’ll pay for the supplies, and we’ll have a bit of a budget to offer world food, and more in the budget for art supplies,” Ms Parry-Jones said.