About the Event

Experience “Flavors of the World” at 10^th Annual AEC Culture Fest

Sunday, September 27

See pictures from Culture Fest 2009

A free family festival, AEC Culture Fest celebrates the cultural diversity of the Chattanooga region through musical and dance performances, educational displays, interactive booths, kids’ activities, art and food.  After 10 years at Coolidge Park, the festival is moving to First Tennessee Pavilion and will be held in conjunction with the Chattanooga Market from 11 AM to 5 PM on Sunday, September 27.

"By partnering with the Chattanooga Market, Culture Fest has the opportunity to grow and reach new audiences,” says Susan Robinson, AEC Executive Director. Another advantage at the Pavilion is plenty of free parking for both patrons and vendors. The venue change also allows AEC to introduce new elements to Culture Fest, such as cooking demonstrations using the Chattanooga Market’s FiveStar Professional Ranges, a second stage for performances and a multicultural bake sale. 

Because of the added focus on food, the all-volunteer planning committee chose “Flavors of the World” as this year’s theme. Participants can sample international foods provided by a variety of vendors and local restaurants, learn more about the local ethnic grocery stories that supply the ingredients for these cultural dishes and watch as some of the most talented chefs in our community demonstrate how to prepare them.

In addition to the Chattanooga Market’s regular vendors, a variety of Culture Fest booths will offer everything from fair-trade handbags to imported Peruvian art, allowing visitors to support local businesses and the global market. Local cultural and service organizations such as the Chattanooga Chinese Association, India Association, La Paz de Dios and Bridge Refugee Services, will display information and offer hands-on activities at their booths.

The Hands On the World tent will feature free activities for all ages, such as international board games, dance lessons and origami. There will also be an extra-large world map on display, welcoming visitors to place a sticker on their hometowns or countries.

The ArtQuest area will offer free activities for children, featuring “Cultural Puppets” from 11 AM to 1 PM. Pick up a 2009 Culture Fest passport at the AEC tent, which can be used to collect information from each Culture Fest booth. The first 350 participants to complete the Culture Fest “world tour” will receive a prize from the AEC tent.

Stage performances and demonstrations will spotlight local talent featuring Chattanooga area residents with multicultural backgrounds.

Culture Fest 2009 will be Sunday, September 27, at the First Tennessee Pavilion. Use the navigation menu on the right to explore and learn more about this unique annual event!

Contact Laurel Eldridge if you would like to participate as a sponsor, performer, food vendor, exhibitor or volunteer.


Teachers - Culture Fest will provide a wonderful opportunity for an artist to visit your school for performances and workshop! Click here for more...