New England BIPOC Festival Returns to Strawbery Banke on Sept. 27, Bringing Together Nearly 100 Vendors from Across the Region

More than 40 restaurants join regional celebration of culture, community, land, and food

PORTSMOUTH — The New England BIPOC Festival returns to Strawbery Banke Museum on Sunday, Sept. 27, from noon to 4 p.m.,  bringing together nearly 100 vendors for an afternoon celebrating Black, Indigenous, and People of Color from across the region through food, art, performance, entrepreneurship, and community.

This year’s Festival will feature nearly 100 participating vendors, including more than 40 restaurants, with five of New England’s six states represented. The event is open to all, with a suggested $10 donation to support Cultivate, the nonprofit organization behind the Festival. No one will be turned away due to inability to donate.

A defining part of the Festival is its commitment to making participation more accessible for BIPOC-owned businesses and restaurants. Vendors are not charged a participation fee, and participating restaurants receive $750 stipends to help offset the costs of preparing and serving food at the event.

“We want to eliminate the barrier of entry for these restaurants and give them all the exposure we can,” said Joanna Kelley, co-founder of Cultivate. “Our retail vendors are encouraged to bring items to sell and promote themselves.”

Founded by David Vargas, chef/owner of Vida Cantina; Evan Mallett, chef/owner of Black Trumpet; and Kelley, owner of Cup of Joe Café & Bar, and Marie Collins, the New England BIPOC Festival moved to Strawbery Banke in 2024 to accommodate its growing audience and regional reach.

The Festival is one of two signature events, alongside Farm-A-Q, organized by Cultivate, a nonprofit dedicated to elevating communities historically marginalized by New England food systems by bringing people and resources together to celebrate culture, land, and food.

Throughout the afternoon, attendees can sample food from more than 40 restaurants, shop from BIPOC-owned businesses and makers, connect with community organizations, and enjoy an expanded lineup of live and interactive programming. Participating cultural organizations include the Korean American Society, Indonesian Community Connect, Inc, and others from across the region. The Festival will also feature more musical and interactive performances, with DJ Ma’am spinning music throughout the day.

Festival admission also includes access to Strawbery Banke Museum’s historic houses at no additional cost to attendees. Cultivate is covering the cost of Museum admission during the Festival, giving guests the opportunity to explore the historic Puddle Dock neighborhood and the stories of the people who lived there across centuries.

Service Credit Union returns for its sixth year as the Festival’s Main Stage Sponsor. The Music Hall is generously supporting the Festival’s stage and sound production. Additional sponsors include Flatbread, WIN Waste Innovations, Rye Dental, Kennebunkport Savings Bank, St. John’s, and other community partners. 

With nearly 100 participants from across New England, the Festival continues to create opportunities for BIPOC chefs, entrepreneurs, artists, organizations, and community members to share their work, build connections, and reach new audiences.

For more information, visit newenglandbipocfest.com.

About Cultivate
Cultivate is a nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating communities historically marginalized by New England food systems by bringing people and resources together to celebrate culture, land, and food. Its signature events include the New England BIPOC Festival and Farm-A-Q.

About the New England BIPOC Festival
The New England BIPOC Festival is an annual celebration founded by David Vargas, Evan Mallett, Joanna Kelley and Marie Collins. The Festival brings together Black, Indigenous, and People of Color from across New England to share food, art, businesses, organizations, stories, and cultures while building connections throughout the region.