A new multicultural celebration is coming to Columbia Pike this weekend.
International cuisines, live performances and kid-friendly activities are all part of the inaugural Columbia Pike Culture Fest, happening from noon to 6 p.m. this Saturday at the Arlington Mill Community Center (909 S. Dinwiddie Street).
Attendees can expect a variety of refreshments from food trucks and eateries based along the Pike, whose 40,000 residents represent over 150 nationalities. Planned vendors are listed below.
- El Cochi
- Spirited Sweets
- Sands By Dubai
- Meda
- City Kabob
- Mama’s Rose Ice
- Lunar Links
Artisans, makers and small businesses including Stuffies and Sumark Art will also be in attendance, offering “culturally inspired goods, crafts and products.”
The Columbia Pike Partnership aims to celebrate “the incredible diversity that makes Columbia Pike one of the most vibrant corridors in the region,” according to a description for the free event.
“One of the greatest strengths and best parts of the Pike is our diversity and plethora of different cultures that we welcome and celebrate,” said Columbia Pike Partnership Executive Director Andrew Schneider. “Culture Fest is an opportunity to highlight some of our favorite aspects and to bring people together on a beautiful spring day.”
Entertainment will feature interactive cultural activities and art for kids, plus 11 dance troupes and musicians from noon to 5:30 p.m.
These include Arlington’s Gunston Steppers, the Los Quetzales Mexican Dance Ensemble and Malikat Al Dabke, the region’s first all-women dabke troupe specializing in Palestinian, Lebanese and Iraqi performances.
An updated schedule is available below.
- Noon – Gunston Steppers
- 12:30 p.m. – Arlington Children’s Chorus
- 1 p.m. – Sentimento Peruano USA
- 1:20 p.m. – Gia Dulci
- 2 p.m. – Los Quetzales
- 2:30 p.m. – DMV Qipao Fashion Dance Group
- 3 p.m. – MFK Afro
- 3:30 p.m. – 40 Miles Home
- 4:00 p.m. – Prakriti Dance
- 4:30 p.m. – Caporales San Simon Virginia
- 5 p.m. – Malikat Al Dabke
“The Pike Culture Fest is designed to honor the Columbia Pike diversity while creating an inclusive, joyful space for families, neighbors, and visitors to connect,” the description reads. “Hosted at Arlington Mill, a longtime cultural and community hub on the Pike, the festival provides a central, accessible location for residents and visitors to gather and celebrate.”
The Columbia Pike Partnership is seeking volunteers for the event. More details are available on Volunteer Arlington’s website.
Photo via Columbia Pike Partnership/Facebook
