Festival to offer ethnic foods

August 10, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

By D.A. WILKINSON

SALEM

The new incarnation of Salem’s summer fun is the Salem International Festival.

The international flavor will come in the variety of ethnic foods that will be offered. They will include Polish, Italian, German, Slovak, Slovenian, Lebanese, Mexican, Greek, and, of course, American food.

“We’re looking at a compilation of Salem’s ethnic heritage,” according to Ginger Grilli, the chairwoman for the event, which is sponsored by the Salem Retail & Business Association.

The event is the latest in the city’s annual celebration of food, fun and heritage. The event will run from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday.

Mayor Jerry Wolford will kick off the event at 4 p.m. Friday at the former Timberlanes parking lot on East Pershing Street between South Broadway Avenue and South Lincoln Avenue. That’s where most of the performances will take place. Entertainment is to start at 4:05 p.m.

If possible, entertainers will be introduced in their native language and English.

By crossing Penn Street from the parking lot, people can go to the Salem Italian- American Club. Its programs will run from 4 p.m. Friday to midnight and from noon to midnight Saturday.

Besides pasta and meatballs, the club will offer hot sausage, barbecued pulled- pork, ribs and chicken.

Audrey Null, the executive director of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, said the Salem Grande Parade begins at 6 p.m. Saturday.

“The parade will come down North Union Avenue and will go right on State Street through the city,” Null said.

Grilli said people can find alternate parking.

Bands that will perform will include The Del Sinchack Band from 10 to 11 p.m. Friday.

Another band is A Cinema for Andrea, which was formerly known as Above 209. The group of Salem school students will perform post-grunge punk alt-rock music from 9 to 11 p.m. Saturday.

Other music will include Groupo Latino that often sings in the Spanish Mass in Salem. The group will perform at 4:40 and 6:50 p.m. Saturday.

Celtic music by Maidens IV will be at 5:10 and 8:25 p.m. on Friday.

Mirella the Musician, who blends Italian and American music, will perform at 5:45 and 7:55 p.m. Saturday.