Ten years ago the Concord Area Task Force Against Racism and Intolerance held the first Concord Multicultural Festival on the State House Plaza. It was the fruition of years of discussion that finally came together thanks to a group of volunteers to create an opportunity for Concord residents to welcome their newest neighbors – the refugees and immigrants who were making Concord their new home. Each year, the festival grew in numbers of countries represented, in wonderful food from those countries available for purchase, and in the music and dancing, for children and adults, to tunes from all over the world. This year we are looking forward to the 10th annual Concord Multicultural Festival, which promises to be the best ever.
The 10th Annual Concord Multicultural Festival will take place on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the State House in downtown Concord.
The Concord community is home to many different cultures and heritages and what better way to celebrate than with a festival of food, music and fun that brings the whole community together! 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.
This year, the festival committee is partnering with N.H. Food Bank’s Recipe for Success Program. Chefs Jayson McCarter and Paul Morrison bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the food service portion of the festival, enhancing the experience for the New American food vendors by not only providing assistance, but education as well. Lincoln Financial Group will be hosting an array of activities this year to engage kids and families, including sand art and necklace beading. Thanks to the support of the N.H. State Council on the Arts, the festival will feature artisan demonstrations and other community engagement activities.
The committee has also commissioned local Iraqi artist, Saad Hindal, to create one of his famous Concord paintings to commemorate the festival’s 10th Anniversary. The painting will be reproduced as 12×18 archival prints and sold as a fundraiser for future festivals.
To learn more about the festival, visit concordNHmulticulturalfestival.org or contact event organizer Jessica Fogg Livingston at 568-5740 or Jessica@jfoggsocialinspirations.com. Find the latest schedule and event updates at facebook.com/ConcordNHMulticulturalFestival.
