What You Need to Know About the International Festival This Weekend

Plans are now finalized for Peabody’s 32nd International Festival to be held on Sunday, Sept. 20 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. in downtown Peabody.

“Peabody’s International Festival is the largest celebration of its kind on the North Shore,” said Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. “The Festival brings tens of thousands of people together to celebrate the richness of our diversity and the strength of our community spirit.”

Here’s what you need to know to make the most of the festival:

Festival Highlights: There will be 80 food and exhibit booths set up in the area of Peabody Square and Main Street. The booths will feature a variety of food and art from Peabody’s many ethnic groups. There will also be continuous entertainment provided at three entertainment sites from 10:45 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Performance acts include Britannica, Rancho Folclorico de Peabody, North Shore Acappella and the Brian Maes Band. The Art Galleria, located on Foster Street, will feature the works of more than 50 local artists. Kid’s Day will be at East End Veterans Memorial Park during the festival and will include moon bounces, face painters, and arts and crafts. D.J. Michael Phillips will MC the event alongside interactive acts such as Mass Motion Dance North, Mary Beth Maes, Phunk Phenomenon and many more.

Traffic: At 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 20, the following roads will closed or detoured for the International Festival and its respective events.
1. Central Street from Railroad Avenue to Peabody Square (Southbound side)
2. Lowell Street from Chestnut Street to Peabody Square (Both east and westbound)
3. Foster Street from Summer Street to Peabody Square
4. Wallis Street from Main Street to Walnut Street
5. Nichols Lane from Main Street to Summer Street
6. Little’s Lane from Spring Street to Main Street (Open to Residents Only)
7. Main Street from Peabody Square to Washington Street

The following streets will be posted “No Parking” from 6 a.m. until approx. 9 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 20 for the International Festival.
1. Lowell Street, both sides from Chestnut Street to Peabody Square
2. Chestnut Street, both sides from Lowell St. to Franklin St.
3. Main Street, both sides from Peabody Square to Washington St.
4. Franklin Street, both sides from Chestnut St. to Foster St. 5. Park Street, both sides from Main St. to Spring St.

Parking: For those attending the festival, parking will be available on the side streets around the Square, at the city’s municipal lots (except the lots on Foster Street and Central Street), and at the District Courthouse. As a convenience to festival goers, there will be shuttle buses providing free transportation to the International Festival throughout the day. Shuttles will run beginning at 11:00 a.m. and pick up at the following sites: Higgins Middle School and the Northshore Mall parking lot (closest to Prospect Street). These buses will run back and forth every 15 minutes.

Restrictions: The sale or use of “silly string” and “poppers” within the Festival perimeter is prohibited, as well as raffles, balloons and t-shirt sales. No alcohol or drugs will be allowed. Also, no bicycles, skateboards, dogs or other pets with be allowed within the Festival area.

Medical Assistance: Support for medical emergencies will be provided by personnel from the City of Peabody Nurse’s Station located on Main Street. Medical assistance will also be provided by EMTs from North Shore Ambulance, who will be located on Church Street (beside City Hall).

Program: A special ceremony will be held at the entertainment site located at the City Hall stage at 2:00 p.m. Peabody Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. will offer words of welcome alongside International Festival Co-Chairs Barry Osborne and Michael F. Zellen. International Festival Committee members and invited guests will also be introduced. The Peter Torigian Memorial International Festival Spirit Award will be presented by the Torigian Family. Miss Dana Sheridan will open the ceremony with the National Anthem.