PEABODY — After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the International Festival returned to the city Sunday with a bang. Not even an occasional drop of rain could dampen spirits.
“More than ever, we need these moments to celebrate what makes the city of Peabody special,” said Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. “It’s great to have everybody here to continue this tradition. It’s important to celebrate our diversity together in the spirit of goodwill.”
Thousands of people flooded the streets of downtown Peabody to sample international cuisine, culture, and art. From the Artisan Market on Foster Street to the Kids Corner at the East End Veterans Memorial Park to Main Street, where some 65-plus food and beverage vendors stretched all the way from Foster Street to the Knights of Columbus, the 37th festival was the place to be.
State Rep. Tom Walsh (D-Peabody) said he was going to keep his remarks short so he could sample the food offerings.
“We’re back and it’s really exciting and the number of people here today speaks volumes to that,” Walsh said. “Personally, the different foods, the smells just sitting up here are incredible. This is a great successful day. Celebrate each other’s cultures not just today but every day.”
Beth Amico, the mayor’s executive assistant, said she had only one word to describe this year’s festival — amazing.
“People are so happy to be back and they are so excited to be able to experience this again,” Amico said. “This event features so many ethnicities and religions and every booth is full of smiles, even with the rain, which did not dampen this day. The way the community responded was amazing. Food vendors were running out of food. The Kiwanis booth ran out of filling for cannolis. The DECA kids from the high school ran out of taco meat for their taco kits. Lines at so many booths were long, but I think that spoke to people who thought the wait was worth it. Today was about people recognizing the importance of celebrating diversity.”
“It’s wonderful to be back,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem). “Look at this enormous crowd and everyone having a wonderful time. The festival is something I have always supported and it’s exciting to see it is back bigger and better than ever before.”
Rep. Sally Kerans (D-Danvers) said she is proud to represent Peabody. She gave a shout-out to Jackie Torigian, the widow of former Mayor Peter Torigian, who founded the festival in 1984.
“I will always think of Jackie Torigian and Peter Torigian with the International Festival,” Kerans said. “When I look at this sea of people enjoying everything from empanadas to Souvlaki to kugel and fried dough, I am so glad to see everyone out and so happy. There are so many wonderful things happening in Peabody. It’s a real renaissance.”
Bettencourt invited Jackie Torigian to join him in presenting the Torigian Memorial International Festival Award to Peabody Council on Aging Director Carolyn Wynn and her staff.
“Her commitment to meeting the needs of Peabody’s seniors knows no bounds,” Bettencourt said about Wynn, who has spent 31 years advocating for senior citizens.
“I was there 31 years ago when Peter said the senior center would be a place where seniors would feel welcome,” Wynn said. “This staff has done that, especially the last two years.”
Police Chief Tom Griffin said he couldn’t have been happier.
“We had just a couple of minor incidents today and it was so refreshing to be involved in this event again,” he said.
Daryl McCarthy, administrative assistant to Mayor Bettencourt, agreed, and said she is grateful to Mary Bellavance, the former festival organizer for leaving the festival in good shape.
“It’s a long day and we will be here late cleaning up, but everything went so smoothly and there were no glitches or trip-ups,” McCarthy said. “Mary left an incredible roadmap and groundwork for us this year.”
Anne Marie Tobin can be reached at [email protected].
