Issues → May/June 2009 → Interact → 10 Things to Do →

Ethnic Food Festivals in New England

by Johnette Rodriguez

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Visit these ethnic food festivals in New England this summer. Call ahead or check Web sites for the latest information on schedules and possible admission fees.

June 24-28
27th Annual La Kermesse Franco-Americaine
St. Louis Field, jct. West & Prospect Sts.
Biddeford, ME
207-282-2894, 207-468-3921
www.lakermessefestival.com
The largest Franco-American festival in New England highlights food (don't miss those meat pies), music, and writings. Check out the La Kermesse Idol Contest.

June 26-28
24th Annual Green Mountain Chew Chew Food & Music Fest
Waterfront Park, jct. College & Lake Sts.
Burlington, VT
802-864-6674
www.greenmountainchewchew.com
Nestled next to Lake Champlain, with a railroad theme, this fest will host Vietnamese, Chinese, Pakistani, Afghani, Mexican, and Middle Eastern food vendors, among others.

July 5
34th Annual Cape Verdean Independence Day Festival
India Point Park, India St.
Providence, RI
401-617-9833
www.ricapeverdeanheritage.com
Longest-running Cape Verdean fest in the country, with traditional foods; a "culture tent" with arts, crafts, and memorabilia; plus plenty of music and dance.

July 30-August 2
95th Annual Feast of the Blessed Sacrament
Madeira Field, off Belleville Ave.
New Bedford, MA
508-992-6911
www.portuguesefeast.com
At the largest Portuguese and Madeiran festival in New England, sponsored by Club Madeirense S.S. Sacramento, you can sip Madeira, barbecue your own sirloin kebabs (carne de espeto), and chow down on dozens of Portuguese specialties.

August 1
4th Annual Taste of the Caribbean & Jerk Festival
Mortensen Riverfront Plaza
300 Columbus Blvd.
Hartford, CT
860-306-1693
www.cayasco.org/taste
In one of the country's largest West Indian communities, join in the domino competition; get your groove on to the sound of steel drums; gnaw on that jerk chicken; and wash it all down with ginger beer, at this annual festival sponsored by the Caribbean American Young Adult Social and Civic Organization.

August 15
11th Annual Southeast Asian Water Festival
Esplanade & Sampas Pavilion
Lowell Heritage State Park
500 Pawtucket Blvd.
Lowell, MA
978-596-1013, 978-596-1000
www.lowellwaterfestival.org
Local Khmer, Vietnamese, Thai, and Laotian communities present a blessing of the waters. See the floating remembrance candles, watch the dragon boat races, and check out all the nime chow and pad Thai you can eat.

August 29
32nd Annual Heritage Day Festival
Rhode Island State House Lawn
jct. Gaspee & Francis Sts.
Providence, RI
401-222-4133
www.preservation.ri.gov/heritage/events.php
Music, dance, crafts, and food from cultures around the world represent the diversity of Rhode Island's citizens: African American, Bolivian, Cape Verdean, German, Guatemalan, Indian, Irish, Korean, Laotian, Panamanian, Portuguese, and Puerto Rican.

September 5-7
6th Annual Oktoberfest
Inn at Danbury & Alphorn Bistro
67 Route 104
Danbury, NH
866-326-2879, 603-768-3318
www.innatdanbury.com/oktoberfest
Plenty of lederhosen and accordions, along with wheat beer, wurst, and a potato-pancake eating contest.

September 11-13
Glendi 2009
St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral & Greek Cultural Center
22 St. George Road, off Main St.
Springfield, MA
413-737-1496
stgeorgecath.org/glendi.htm
Food, music, dancing, art and cultural exhibits, kids' activities, cathedral and chapel tours, Greek vendors, and more great food.

September 18-20
Glendi Greek Culture & Heritage Festival
St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral
650 Hanover St.
Manchester, NH
603-622-9113
Glendi schedule
The largest Greek fest north of Boston features three large tents of food, from lamb dinners and real gyros (lamb and beef) to spinach pie and baklava (walnut or pecan).