The 2025 Arts and Culture Festival is coming to Middletown for the first time — and so is your chance to sample different cuisines and flavors, dress in multicultural garb, take a workshop, and view multicultural arts and musical performances.
The festival is hosted by the Asian American Community Alliance of Orange County. The City of Middletown and Fei Tian College Northern are two of the sponsors.
“It’s just the idea to bring everybody together,” said Janet Xiong, president of the alliance, “use this as a platform so that they can showcase their culture, so we can exchange experience and everybody (can) enjoy each other’s heritage.”
What can you expect at 2025 Arts and Culture Festival?
The festival will host an outdoor live orchestra, musical acts, singing and dancing.
Besides burgers, barbecue, cotton candy, cakes, and bubble tea, said Xiong, “Visitors can enjoy spicy and savory Indian dishes, flavorful Vietnamese specialties, classic Taiwanese street food, master chef’s exquisite cuisine and delicious Mexican favorites.”
The Taco Factory in Middletown will sell tacos, tamales, chips, salsa and guacamole. Master chef Zizhao Luo, head chef of Northern Cafeteria and recipient of the Asia-Pacific Chef King Medal, is slated to host his kitchen at the event.
The family-friendly event offers free entry, free parking and designated rest areas. Leashed pets are allowed.
Over 3,000 visitors are expected each day, according to the festival website. Volunteering opportunities are also available at artsculturefestival.com.
How can you express your creativity?
The festival invites attendees to dress in traditional outfits representing various cultures, such as the Indian lehnga choli or saree, the Japanese kimono, the Korean hanbok, and the Spanish traje de flamenca, to name a few.
When, where is the festival?
The event will be held at the Middletown Community Campus at 14 Jason Place, Middletown. Tickets are not required for entry, but workshops or some other events may require registration due to limited availability.
Hours and dates: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 27; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sep. 28
This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Arts and Culture Festival coming to Middletown this weekend
Reporting by Vandana Saras, Middletown Times Herald- Record / Times Herald-Record
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
