LEXINGTON PARK, Md. – The first-ever Culture and Cuisine event, held on June 29, 2024, in St. Mary’s Square, was a resounding success, drawing in 824 attendees despite the humid weather. “It exceeded our expectations,” said Kristin Kauffman from the Lexington Park Business Association. “We were very happy with the turnout.”
The event featured a vibrant mix of local and ethnic cuisines and cultural performances, making it a memorable day for the community. Highlights included a traditional drum circle and dances by the Piscataway Nation singers and dancers, which Kauffman described as “standing room only.”
Eight food vendors offered a variety of dishes, with The Jamaican Grill and the Filipino American Association’s booth, in partnership with Nina’s, being particularly popular. “People kept saying, ‘I want to try something I’ve never tried before,’” Kauffman noted.
Art projects also played a significant role in the event. The Mad Splatter Shack allowed attendees to create their own splatter paintings, while a graffiti wall, donated by 84 Lumber, enabled participants to experiment with spray paint under the guidance of artist Tom Rogers. Additionally, the St. Mary’s County Arts Council and the Lexington Park Lions Club organized a mosaic tile painting project that will be displayed at the St. Mary’s Caring Soup Kitchen once completed.
The event was made possible by over 100 community partners and sponsors who contributed more than $20,000. This funding covered high-quality entertainment and essential amenities like tents and seating. “Our community partners really are the ones who made it happen with their funding,” emphasized Kauffman.
“We had a lot of people, you know, anecdotally, who drove by and said, oh, I didn’t know anything was happening here, but I saw the tents and everything, so we stopped to check it out, which was really cool,” Kauffman said. Given the success of this inaugural event, plans are already in the works to make it an annual tradition.
For more information and to view photos from the event, visit the Lexington Park Business Association website.
Upcoming Events:
- Fourth of July Fireworks and Festivities
- Summer Concert Series at the Waterfront
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