Houlton’s fifth annual International Food Festival on Saturday will present foods from 31 nations prepared by community members who have personal connections to the foods and cultures of other lands.
Over the years, the Houlton Rotary event has evolved into a celebration not just of the world’s countries, but of the stories of the people who call the southern Aroostook region home.
“I think that’s what makes this event so unique to our region. We live along an international border, and many of us have connections to Canada and beyond,” said Rotary President Johanna Johnston. “We have veterans, educators, business leaders, newcomers, and multi-generational families with roots spanning continents.”
People often assume that Aroostook County isn’t diverse because it’s rural and geographically isolated, but the festival celebrates the unexpected ways community members are connected to every nation represented — whether through birth, family heritage, military service, travel, exchange programs or lived experience.
The festival, which has tripled in size since it started four years ago, is slated from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, at Houlton Middle High School.
“Our neighbors have lived, worked, studied, served in the military, traveled, married into families from around the world, immigrated here, or maintained deep cultural ties to other countries,” Johnston said. “When you start asking people to share their stories, you quickly realize the world is already here — we just don’t always take the time to celebrate it.”
From Jamaica to Jordan, Colombia to Scotland, and Romania to South Korea, each country represented will allow visitors to experience another culture through food, conversation, music and personal connection.
Houlton resident Beverly Chapman, who is from Swindon in Wiltshire, United Kingdom, is bringing Victoria Sponge Cake, an airy, jam-filled favorite of Queen Victoria and her mum’s favorite, she said.
“She’d make it most Sundays for dessert after dinner,” Chapman said. “We ate it with warm custard. Yummy.”
Suzanne Belle Niederer Hiltz is bringing a piece of Switzerland and a connection to her father to the festival.
“I am bringing traditional cheese fondue and homemade breads to represent Switzerland, and I am also bringing a German spiced pear cake,” Hiltz said. “I am so excited.”
Hiltz’s maiden name, Niederer, comes from the Appenzellerland in Switzerland. It’s where her ancestors came from and where her late father, Fred Lewis Niederer, found inspiration for his art. In 2023, she visited the places in Switzerland her father had painted, she said.
“To walk the paths my father painted was to walk closer to the generations who came before me,” she said.
In addition to the festival’s newest additions, there will be past favorites like Hodgdon resident Elly Dulinsky’s European sweet delights. Originally from Romania, Dulinsky makes authentic 17th-century European pastries, cakes and breads.
The 2022 inaugural Houlton Rotary International food festival featured dishes from nine countries by last year had grown to 21. This Saturday’s event has again blossomed with 10 more nations represented.
“I think the growth really speaks to the kind of community we have here,” Johnston said.
She credited Ruba Haddad, Rotary Club’s international service chair, for helping grow the event. Haddad is naturally curious and has a gift for connecting with people, asking questions and listening to people’s stories, she said.
“Many of these country connections were discovered simply because Ruba took the time to ask, ‘Tell me about your family,’ or ‘Where are your roots?’” Johnston said. “She’s uncovered this incredible tapestry of connections that exists throughout Southern Aroostook.”
Rev. Mary Miller attended the festival last year and loved it.
“I was so impressed with the energy, inclusion, joy, entertainment, food and sense of community,” she said. “So I’m excited to be more a part of it this year.”
The Houlton Community Handbell Choir, which Miller directs, will ring pieces from Wales and Armenia.
Additionally, Miller is sponsoring the Philippines for the event in honor of Linda Maraya, a longtime friend and someone she deeply admires, she said.
This year’s event has added more family-friendly activities and opportunities for children to learn about cultures from around the world.
Because each nation is sponsored by a community member or business and the generosity of the cooks, the event and all the food tasting is free.
Rotary will also raise funds at the event to support ShelterBox and World Central Kitchen. Attendees can visit the community gift shop to support the efforts.
“While there is no entry fee, this is still a fundraiser, and we encourage attendees to support the cause by purchasing water or items from the gift shop, emptying their spare change from their pockets or pocketbooks, or scanning the QR code to make a donation,” Johnston said.
Organizers suggest guests arrive between 12:30 and 1 p.m. to enjoy opening ceremonies and cultural performances before sampling foods from around the globe.
“We want families to feel welcome, to try something new, and to leave with a greater appreciation for both our differences and the things we all have in common,” she said. “One of the things I’m most looking forward to is seeing people make connections with one another.”
