SAUGUS — With the Cultural Festival right around the corner, Tori Darnell, co-chair of the town’s Cultural Council, was happy to discuss the inaugural event.
“The Cultural Council has always been a volunteer-led group that serves the community,” Darnell said. “I’ve only been on the council since 2021, and I always look at the people, and they say, ‘What’s that? I’ve never heard of it.’”
Darnell explained that the council’s primary function is to award grants and that their grant cycle goes from Sept. 1 to mid-October.
“It’s for programs and projects that people would like to do in or around Saugus to help elevate those cultural experiences,” She said. Darnell noted that these grants have gone to things like a town artist, programs at the library, and the Iron Works concert series.
She continued that they’ve done work with the Saugus Senior Center as well as Friends of Breakheart during events like the Fall Festival.
“We’ve just been helping out in the background, and it’s been a really great experience just to be that part for Saugus,” she said.
The council also sends out a Community Engagement Survey every few years, and the one they sent out in 2023 saw an overwhelming interest in more free community events for the town.
“We take community feedback very seriously,” Darnell said.
So, in the spring of 2024, the council realized that they could do their own programming and that they don’t just have to award grants but can fundraise their own money to fill gaps that they notice in the community.
“That’s where we took the opportunity to do this first event,” she said. “It’s going to be a pretty inclusive, family-friendly event. It does sort of celebrate the cultural fabric of Saugus. We’re trying to bring something else into the community that really does bring people together and to appreciate their neighbors and whatnot.”
Darnell mentioned that the council has been working with the School Committee and town leadership to figure out the best way to make it happen.
“The event is going to be at the Saugus Middle High School. It’s an ADA-compliant building. It’s very important for us to make sure that all people are able to attend if they choose to,” she said.
However, it wasn’t just about the building ticking that important box. Darnell explained that the council felt the school was already in the process of trying to become a community center with so many activities already happening after school hours end.
“The event is Sunday, February 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walking into the building is free, and participating in the events is free. The only thing that isn’t free is the food vendors,” she said.
The council has done its best to ensure that the food is affordable, hoping to keep menu items below $16, with some also being under $5 in hopes that everyone can experience the different cuisines.
“We have activities happening in the auditorium from 11:15 a.m. to 3 p.m., and things will be kicked off with the Saugus Public Schools acapella group,” Darnell said.
The performances will continue with a Boston-based Filipino dance group, a performance from a council member’s traditional Indian dance group from noon to 12:10 p.m., and then a 15 minute performance by a solo student.
From there, a short break will occur before performances start up again with the Keane O’Brien Academy of Irish Dance, located in Melrose. Next, the Saugus Theater Company will perform a portion of their upcoming play for about 20 minutes.
There will be one final break before Veronica Robles and her all-women mariachi band take the stage.
“She has played with the Boston Pops, and she has a nonprofit in East Boston. She’ll be performing the last hour from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., so her group will be closing out the festival, which we’re all really excited about,” Darnell said.
A majority of the performers are from Saugus, with some hailing from the surrounding communities. Darnell and the council felt that the performers help represent the community and what the town has.
Next, Darnell spoke about food vendors, with the council trying to include cuisine from around the world. “Our first one is Saugus House of Pizza and they’ll be providing food from Central America,” she said.
TJ’s Taste Truck will also be at the event to provide Tex-Mex-style foods. Istanbul Diner, a place just moving into Saugus, will also be included. Lastly, Athidi, an Indian restaurant, and Black and White Food Service will both be in attendance. However, the council is still trying to gather some final options.
“Outside of food and performances, we’re also having two spaces for activities throughout the day. One room will be dedicated to the Boys and Girls Club. They’re going to have an art table, these gaming tournaments…and a music mixing station with sound equipment and instruments to mess around with,” Darnell said.
She continued that there would also be an instrument petting zoo where kids could just pick up instruments of their choosing and play around with them.
“The last activity that can really get people engaged will be in another room. It’s a nonprofit called Circus Up, and its mission is to build communities of all abilities,” she said.
The nonprofit will do a small acrobatic performance before allowing others into the space to try out the equipment. “I’ve seen them do it before. They’ll hold up a hoop, and kids will get to dive through it. It’s just another way for the kids to move around if they get restless,” Darnell said.
She continued that there would be a small section of vendors and community groups, but the council hasn’t nailed down the lineup yet.
The sponsors for the event are WIN Waste, Mass Cultural Council, and Tax Of Life, a local business in Saugus.
“We really hope that this event inspires others to create more thoughtful, engaging and educational programs in Saugus. It’s not something that one entity is responsible for,” she said.
Darnell once again mentioned that the council can give out grant funding for these types of events. “If people think this is something really fun and they’d love to do something like this, we’d love to talk about it and help get them a grant for it.”
The event will be on the final day of February break, giving kids something fun to do before school starts back up again.
