Harvard festival features first-ever Filipino Beer Garden in New England

Photo from harvardsquare.com

CAMBRIDGE – The 3rd annual Filipino American Festival returns to Harvard Square in Cambridge for a day packed with live performances, cultural exhibits and authentic Filipino cuisine.

A key highlight of the festival on Sunday, Oct. 6 will be the first-ever Filipino Beer Garden in New England, offering iconic brews like San Miguel and Red Horse.

“We’re thrilled to bring this celebration of Filipino heritage to Harvard Square once again,” said Catherine Uy, president of the Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance. “It’s an opportunity to share the rich traditions, food, music and art of the Filipino community with the broader New England audience.”

This year’s event will feature:

• Cultural performances, including traditional dances from tinikling to modern acts, showcasing the diversity of Filipino talent
• Filipino cuisine, with vendors offering popular dishes like lechon, adobo and halo-halo
• Fashion show highlighting sustainable fabrics such as piña and abaca from Filipino designers
• Adobo workshop led by special guest Chef Valerie Castillo-Archer, the first Filipino American head of Catering Operations at Philippine Airlines
• Balut-eating and sipa contest, hosted by Harvard’s Filipino Preceptor Lady Aileen Orsal
• Philippine Jeepney Exhibit, showcasing the iconic “Auto Calesa,” a symbol of Filipino culture
• Harvard Peabody Museum Collaboration, featuring a special exhibit of Filipino artifacts dating back to the 1800s

The event is free and open to the public.

The Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance (HSPAA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering community engagement through cultural events that celebrate the heritage of the Filipino people.

In partnership with local businesses, organizations and community leaders, HSPAA organizes the annual Filipino American Festival and other events aimed at promoting Filipino culture.

The Filipino American Festival is part of an annual celebration that also features the 45th Annual Oktoberfest and the 19th Annual HONK! Parade organized by the Harvard Square Business Association.

Harvard Square’s Oktoberfest features food from all over the world, arts, crafts, vintage goods, free samples and one-of-a-kind gifts.

For more information or to RSVP, visit the 3rd Filipino American Festival Facebook Event.

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