Date Set For Inaugural Fairfield International Food Fest​

FAIRFIELD, CT — A new multicultural food and arts festival is set to debut later this month in downtown Fairfield.

The first annual Fairfield International Food Fest will take place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 30 at the Fairfield Theater Company, 70 Sanford St. Organized by ConnectFairfield and presented by Fairfield University’s Center for Arts & Minds, the event will feature international cuisine, live music, dance performances, educational activities and family programming.

Thirteen food vendors representing a range of global cuisines—including Korean, Mexican, Thai, South American and British—will offer sample-sized dishes available for purchase. Food is not included in the price of admission.

In addition to culinary offerings, the event will feature live performances on three stages. Scheduled acts include Latin, Irish step, belly and Israeli dancing, as well as Brazilian jiu-jitsu demonstrations. Musical performances will include Pangea WorldBeat at 6 p.m. and Otis & the Hurricanes at 7 p.m.

Other scheduled activities include a scavenger hunt, henna tattoos, jewelry-making, face painting, photo booths, and an “Around the World” selfie gallery. Educational exhibits will be provided by the Fairfield Museum & History Center, and short cultural films curated by the Bridgeport Film Fest will be screened throughout the event. Interactive arts programming will be offered by The Studio Fairfield.

Attendees aged 21 and over can sample international wines and local craft beers in the FTC Warehouse Mezzanine Lounge.
The event is sponsored by Fairfield University’s Center for Arts & Minds, which supports community engagement through interdisciplinary arts and education. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Operation Hope, a local nonprofit focused on hunger and homelessness in Fairfield County.

Discounted advance tickets are available for a limited time: $20 for adults and $10 for children with the promo code "CONNECT."

For more information, visit www.ConnectFairfield.com or follow @FairfieldInternationalFoodFest on Instagram.

The schedule of activities, performances, demonstrations and educational films:

4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Performances

• Latin Dance - Bachata Dance Studios
• Irish Step Dance - Lenihan School of Irish Dance
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu - Gracie Sports
• Belly Dancing - Joy Herbst & the Joy Dancers Contemporary Fusion
• Sandžak Dance - K.U.D. Sandžačka Omladina
• Israeli Dancing with Traci

Live Music:

• 6 p.m. - Pangea WorldBeat
• 7 p.m. - Otis & the Hurricanes

Activities throughout the event:

• Scavenger Hunt - CT Kids Passport
• Henna tattoos by Priyanka Jain & Shiksha Jaiswa
• Jewelry-making - CIRI
• Participate in drawing a giant heritage chalk mural on the FTC exterior wall
• Face-painting - The Goddard School
• “Around the World” themed selfie gallery (Stage One)
• Photo Booth - Compass
• Educational exhibits - Fairfield Museum & History Center
• Interactive multimedia activity of creating small art cards - The Studio Fairfield
• Cultural short films - Bridgeport Film Fest (Stage One)