Caribbean performers, exhibitors and food vendors needed for upcoming Culture Fest

Caribbean bands, exhibitors, performers and food vendors are needed for an upcoming “Caribbean Culture Fest” that will be hosted by Columbia Association (CA), the Howard County Library System and The Build Haiti Foundation. This free family event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 28, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Howard County Library System’s Miller Branch, which is located at 9421 Frederick Road in Ellicott City.

The Caribbean Culture Fest is a great place for individuals, bands, organizations and dance groups representing the English-, French-, Spanish- and Dutch-speaking islands of the Caribbean to participate in an afternoon of music (including bachata, reggae, calypso, steel drum, salsa, merengue and compas/konpa), dance performances, displays and demonstrations.

Food trucks from the highlighted countries and territories — Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, Curacao, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin, St. Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Virgin Islands — are also needed to sell snacks and refreshments.

At this free event, people are invited to show the Howard County community what makes their countries and cultures unique. Exhibitors may not sell items or services unless they are food truck vendors selling food. Musicians fall into two categories: short inside performances (10-15 minutes) and longer outside performances (30-45 minutes). Musicians performing longer sets outside may sell CDs. There will be no payment for performances.

Photos will be taken at the event of exhibitors, performers and the audience. At the event, families will be able to pick up a “Culture Fest Passport” and complete it for door prizes by visiting exhibitors’ tables.

Interested parties should contact Laura Smit, program manager for CA’s International Exchange and Multicultural Programs, by calling 410-715-3162 or sending an email to International@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

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