Benji Boyd, Sophomore – ASSISTANT EDITOR
May 17th was a beautiful May Friday evening. Cool and sunny, the weather was perfect for a celebration of culture on the MHS campus both in and out of doors. From 5:00 to 8:00 PM, Marblehead students, parents, teachers, and guests gathered to share good food, take part in fun activities, and enjoy performances by visitors and students alike. In its fifth year running annually, the MHS Culture Feast was as big a hit as ever.
As the crowds began to flock in while the sun was still up, food trucks were waiting outside with delicious meals, free with a coupon given to ticket-buyers. On this year’s menu was ‘Banh Mi’ and the crowd favorite from last year, ‘Jamaican Me Hungry,’ as well as a catered buffet of Soul Food in the cafeteria. For dessert, the lines were down the pavement for the ‘Cookie Monstah’ truck parked in front of the school. In fact, they did so much business they ran out and had to drive away an hour in!
While the Culture Feast began in 2019 as a potluck where students could bring in dishes with cultural significance, it has since evolved to include more businesses and attract even more attendees from outside the MHS community. Inside the cafeteria, local artists sold handmade products including bags, keychains, and jewelry. Photobooths, temporary tattoo tables, and a dance floor were all available free of charge. The DJ even played a little Taylor Swift for those wishing they were at Gillette that night.
At 7:00, the crowds were corralled into the auditorium to enjoy live performances. On the roster was the Lincoln-Sudbury Step Team and several musical acts from talented MHS students. Energized by the good food and company, the enthusiastic crowd participated in callbacks with the performers, cheered and clapped along with songs, and waved their phone flashlights above their heads. When it was finally time to leave, the mood was high and the night a definitive success.