The ninth annual Around the World Cultural Food Festival will return to Oronoco Bay Park in Old Town on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., offering free admission to what organizers call the largest outdoor cultural food festival in the Washington metro area.
This year’s event will feature authentic cuisine from 24 countries, with one food vendor per country providing what organizers describe as a curated tasting experience. More than 150 traditional dishes will be available from countries including Afghanistan, China, Egypt, Ghana, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Mexico, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, among others.
The festival will also showcase empanadas from Argentina, India, Jamaica, Mexico, and Peru, along with desserts from France, Japan, and Vietnam.
Cultural performances will include traditional music and folk dance from 16 countries, featuring Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Peru, Poland, Russia, Spain, Turkey and Ukraine. The performances will highlight traditional dress, movement, and music on the festival’s main stage.
A global marketplace will feature more than 110 artisans, crafters, and small businesses selling handcrafted goods, traditional clothing, jewelry, home décor, and specialty products. Vendors will represent countries including Angola, Armenia, Bolivia, Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Rwanda, Scotland, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Turkey.
According to organizers, the festival’s mission is to create an immersive cultural and educational experience where vendors share authentic items from their countries through food, crafts and performances.
The event takes place at Oronoco Bay Park, located at 100 Madison St. in Old Town. More information is available at www.aroundtheworldfestival.com or on social media at @AroundTheWorldFestival.
