Festival to offer international food

May 8, 2010 at 12:03a.m.

By D.A. WILKINSON

SALEM

Different foods are in at the Salem International Festival this year.

An Italian festival that started two years ago has morphed into an event that will offer German, Slovak, Lebanese food along with Italian dishes.

Audrey Null, the executive director of the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, said Friday, “We have lots of Italian.”

She added that Italian food “is kind of the dean of other nationalities in this community.”

The Saxon Club, the Slovak Club and the Independent Hose Co. will be taking part foodwise.

Ginger Grilli, a chamber member, said that Celtic and Latin American food will also be offered.

Null expects that more nationalities will be represented when the event finally happens, which will be from 4 to 10 p.m. Aug. 13 and 3 to 11 p.m. Aug. 14. It also will include the city’s annual Grande Parade at 6 p.m. Aug. 14.

For good measure, performers from the Salem Community Theatre’s production of “Fiddler on the Roof” will take part in the activities.

A youth band that is in the process of changing its name is expected to perform.

The Italian club will have bocci and cornhole-toss games, and the Fun Factory skating ring will have youth events.

Most of the activities will be centered around Penn Avenue and East Pershing Street.