The Around the World Cultural Food Festival returns to Alexandria’s Oronoco Bay Park on Saturday, August 26.
This is the seventh year for the daylong multicultural event.
You’ll get the opportunity to taste traditional dishes from 16 different countries, and there won’t be any repeats — each country is represented by only one vendor, which the festival selected to present the “best of the best.” Sample grilled squid from Laos, beef bulgogi from Korea, and stuffed grape leaves from Lebanon.
“Around the World Cultural Food Festival creates a cultural and educational experience like no other in the DMV,” the festival’s website said. “Our restaurants do not only sell food; they showcase, educate, and teach their culture through food.”
This year, there will be vendors representing Cambodia, China, Ecuador, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Laos, Lebanon, Nepal, Peru, Thailand, Turkey, the U.S., and Vietnam. In addition, there will be one vendor selling empanadas from around the world, seven dessert vendors, and a beer garden.
In between bites, stop to watch the cultural musical performances. There is a full schedule of cultural performances — representing 15 countries — that will run from 11:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., followed by a DJ playing international music.
Artisans and crafters will have jewelry, art, books, and bath products for sale.
For little ones, there will be inflatable bounce houses, kite-flying, face painting, and henna tattoos.
Admission is free, and food is purchased directly from the vendors. The event is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is pet-friendly and will happen rain or shine. 100 Madison St., Alexandria
Feature image courtesy Around the World Cultural Food Festival
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