Sat. 9/28: Concord Multicultural Festival Returns w/ Infusion of International Energy

Attendees will be transported by global lineup of entertainment, food, + exhibitors

Where can you nibble savory South American empanadas to the sounds of Burundi drummers?  What al fresco locale offers choumin and curry with the sights and sounds of the Landaya Ensemble and Wah Lum Chinese Lion Dance?  Concord, NH will be home to these international experiences, and many more, at the 8th Annual Concord Multicultural Festival on Saturday, September 28th from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at the State House in Downtown Concord.

Have a sweet tooth?  French and Nepalese treats await, while fast-paced Celtic BellyFusion and Bhutaese dancers whirl by, transporting attendees to the European and African continents.  The exceptional diversity of performances, food, and exhibitors are testimony to a new infusion of energy that’s transforming the Concord Multicultural Festival into a must-see (and taste, and hear) event.  Organizers are continuing to schedule even more activities and entertainment, so be sure to check the event website and Facebook page frequently. 

Festival participants represent many native countries of current Concord community members.  Presenters will celebrate their cultures through music, dance, food, crafts, storytelling and other engaging educational experiences. Cultural activities will include henna, hair braiding, and other offerings.  

Seeds of the Concord Multicultural Festival were planted a decade ago, when the Greater Concord Area Task Force Against Racism and Intolerance recognized a big outdoor party was an ideal avenue to advance the goals of racial and ethnic tolerance and understanding in a small but quickly changing New England community.

Attendance is free at the 8th Annual Concord Multicultural Festival, a rain or shine event.  Delectable foods can be purchased from the following vendors: Aissa's Sweets (Syrian), Crust and Crumb Bakery (French), Katmandu Snack Shop (Nepalese), Puppy Love Hot Dogs, Spoon Revolution Vegan Bistro (Vaishnava/Bengali), and Washington Street Café (Lebanese).  Other edible offerings will include empanadas, roti, samosas, choumin, chatpatay, puri and curry.

Free performances are truly global, including Ankara Rose Celtic BellyFusion, Bhutanese Dancers, Bhutanese Singer, Burundi Drummers, Hagop Jack Zarzatian, Landaya Ensemble, Ravi & Vinayak Indian Carnatic Vocals, The Room Records (Emcee), Vybes of Style Dance Crew, and Wah Lum Chinese Lion Dance.

The following Concord Multicultural Festival exhibitors represent a broad spectrum of interesting international endeavors: Boyan Pottery, Love Your Neighbor, Lutheran Social Services, New American Africans, NHTI - Office of Cross Cultural Education, Saad Hindal (Iraqi Painter), Western Abenaki Baskets, A Woven Thread, and Zonta Club of Concord.

Presented by the Greater Concord Area Task Force Against Racism & Intolerance, the Festival is made possible with generous support from Lincoln Financial Group, NHTI – Concord’s Community College, Merrimack County Savings Bank, Lutheran Social Services of New England, The Duprey Companies, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Concord.

To learn more about the 8th Annual Concord Multicultural Festival, visit www.nhmulticulturalfestival.com, or contact Event Chair Jessica Fogg at 603.568.5740 or Jessica@jfoggsocialinspirations.com.  Find the latest schedule and event updates at www.facebook.com/ConcordNHMulticulturalFestival.  

The Greater Concord Area Task Force Against Racism & Intolerance’s mission is to raise local awareness of those newly arriving in our community, and appreciation for cultural diversity, with the hope increased awareness, supported by educational programs, will inspire neighbors to accept, welcome and assist our newest community members.