Indonesian Festival returns 'bigger, better, bolder' in Somersworth
SOMERSWORTH – The biggest Indonesian festival in New England is returning this year to the Hilltop City.
The festival will take place on Saturday, Sept. 10 from noon to 6 p.m. in downtown Somersworth.
This year features an array of cultural performances, traditional Indonesian cuisine and a parade that highlights Indonesia’s seven main islands.
Raude Raychel said after having to downsize the festival last year due to the pandemic, this year the festival will be bigger, better and bolder.
“We are making a great comeback,” Raychel said. “The festival is another way for us to not only promote the culture, but educate the community in hopes it will create a deeper understanding and appreciation toward the Indonesian culture and community.”
A taste of Indonesia
Raychel said that there will be a lot of traditional, authentic Indonesian street food that will highlight flavors from throughout Indonesia. Local businesses and restaurants will also be involved.
Indonesian Community Connect is still waiting on some permits from the city, but hopes to hold the festival in the parking lot of the Somersworth Plaza on Main Street behind City Hall.
This festival highlights Indonesia's Papua province, featuring traditional cultural performances and cuisine from the area. Fifty-five performers from Papua will be in town, showcasing traditional dances and songs.
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The festival will kick off with a ribbon cutting and parade that will be led by dancers and an Indonesian motorcycle group. Multiple performances will follow throughout the day.
Several government officials from Indonesia are expected to be at the event. Visitors can also visit the ICC’s gift shop within the cultural center.
Performers will include the Iyakoko Patea Choir, Freedom Squad Dancers and Marclesia Karim.
2022: A year of celebration
Indonesian Community Connect celebrated two milestone anniversaries with a Food Fest and special ceremony earlier this year. The event helped kickoff its capital campaign to fundraise for the next phase of what has been hailed as the world’s first Little Indonesia – which will be a commercial-cultural district in the Hilltop City. The vision is anchored by a large welcome gate, community center, an Indonesian museum, housing, community cultural garden, a food hall and shopping center.
This is the ninth year of the Indonesian Festival. The ICC created a new Festival Committee to prepare for the event.
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The last grand festival ICC held was in 2019, when Main Street was shut down and thousands came from across New England and several officials from Indonesia, Raychel said.
Raychel called the event “a festival for all.”
“It's not just about promoting Indonesian culture through the food, language and performances, it’s about sharing our vision with the community and helping to build and support the local community and economy,” Raychel said.
Raychel said that the festival is just the start of exciting things ahead for ICC. The ICC is gearing up for its first International Trade Expo in November, which will bring together business and government leaders from Indonesia and New Hampshire.
The expo is expected to mark the beginning of a collaborative partnership between the Indonesian and New Hampshire economies, highlighting many different industries while promoting mutual trade and tourism.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Indonesian Festival to take place in Somersworth NH Sept. 10
