Get the 4-1-1 on the International Festival This Sunday

Heading to Peabody’s annual festival of ethnic heritage, food, art and entertainment this Sunday?

Admission to the festival is free of charge. Here's what you need to know before you go Sunday:

Festival highlights

The 28th Annual International Festival is Sept. 18 (rain date of Sept. 25) from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. in Peabody Square.

There will be 64 food and exhibit booths around the square, featuring food and art of Peabody’s many ethnic groups.

Continuous entertainment at two entertainment sites from 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m, including Crystal PanJammers Youth Steel Orchestra and the Brian Maes Band.

The Artists’ Galleria, located on Chestnut Street, will feature works of more than 50 local artists.

Kid’s Day will be held on the and will feature moonbounces, face-painting clowns, and arts and crafts. D.J. Michael Phillips will act as master of ceremonies with a demonstration from Bruce McCorry’s Martial Arts, , the Covenant Country Cloggers and Eddie Gardner the Magician.

Traffic

Starting at 6 a.m. on Sunday, Lowell Street will be closed to traffic from the square to Crowninshield Street, Chestnut Street will be closed from Lowell to Franklin streets, and School and Sawyer streets will both be closed to traffic.

If you're setting up a booth, you can get into the square from 8:30-9:30 a.m. to drop off materials and supplies only. Otherwise, traffic will be routed around these areas during the festival.

Peabody police officers and festival volunteers will be stationed throughout the square during the day to provide assistance, directions and answer questions.

Parking

Festival goers will be able to park on Main Street, on side streets
around the square, at municipal parking lots (except the lots on Foster and Central streets), at and the Mill Street lot.

Shuttle buses will provide free transportation to and from the festival throughout the day, starting at 11 a.m. Pick up sites are at and the parking lot (closest to Prospect Street). Buses will run back and forth every 15 minutes.

Information

Maps and general information will be available from volunteers stationed at festival entrances as well as at the courtesy booth, which will be located on Lowell Street across from Chestnut Street. The booth will be staffed throughout the day.

Go to the booth to report problems or for lost and found items.

In case of rain, the festival will be postponed until next Sunday. Announcements will be made on the city’s website, the festival website or local cable Channels 9 and 10, as well as Boston radio stations.

Restrictions

The sale or use of “Silly String” and “Poppers” within the festival perimeter is prohibited, as well as raffles, balloons and T-shirts sales. No alcohol or drugs allowed. No bicycles, skateboards or dogs will be allowed within the festival area.

Medical Assistance

Support for medical emergencies will be provided by personnel from , stationed near the monument at booth 58 and the city of Peabody Nurse’s Station located at booth 45. Medical assistance will also be provided by EMTs who will be located on Church Street (beside City Hall).

Television

will be broadcasting live from the festival throughout the day, and can be viewed live in Peabody on Channels 9 and 10. The show wil be rebroadcast after the festival as well.

Program

A formal ceremony will be held at the entertainment site in Peabody Square at 2:30 p.m. Mayor Michael Bonfanti and International
Festival Co-Chairs Barry Osborne and Michael Zellen will welcome festival goers and introduce festival committee members and invited guests.

The Peter Torigian Memorial International Festival Spirit Award will be presented by the Torigian family, in honor of the late Mayor Peter Torigian, who started the festival in 1983.

sophomore Dana Sheridan will open the ceremony with the National Anthem.

The rest of the week

Starting with Sunday supper, the annual Restaurant Week in Peabody -- now a fortnight of food -- gets underway. From Sept. 18-22 and Sept. 25-29, participating restaurants will offer a two-course dinner for $15 and/or a three-course dinner for $20 (price doesn't beverages, tax and gratuity).

On Sept. 25, head to the Leather City Common for a movie after dinner. Visit any of the participating Restaurant Week eateries and then head over to the park to watch “Fever Pitch” at 8 p.m.