The City of Webster tantalized the palates of its residents with the diverse cuisine served up at its inaugural Ethnic Festival on June 20 in front of City Hall.
“The goal of hosting the Ethnic Festival was to bring the community together by highlighting cultures around the world with good food, good music and good vendors,” said Isabelle Zapata, festival organizer and the city’s utilities billing clerk. “Here we have a little mix of everything. We want people to learn throughout the event as well as connect. We’re wanting everyone to learn about not only something that they’re familiar with, but step out of their comfort zones and maybe try something new.”
Food trucks featuring diverse cultural eats, business and merchant vendors, and various cultural displays lined the outside of City Hall, giving attendees a lot to explore.
Imad Bahar, owner of Medilish Grill, said he was motivated to bring the fusion of Mediterranean food from New Port Richey to support the event and get people to try the flavors of pitas and bowls.
“I feel it’s important to support the community,” he said. “As a small business, to drive an hour and a half to participate in the event and show love was important. We hope to be here next year and still participate five years from now.”
Analyn Juntunen, owner of the Manila-House food truck out of Beverly Hills was excited to see all of the diverse food trucks in one location.
“I’ve been cooking for maybe 20 years,” she said. “I’m excited for people to try the food, so they can see how good Filipino food is. There aren’t a lot of Filipino restaurants because the food is cooked slower. It’s not a fast process, but it’s good.”
Amber Mcnab, owner of Amber’s Homestead Sweets, display of cake pops, including vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon roll and cookies and cream, were decorated into the shape of the flags of Cuba, Mexico, Argentina and Puerto Rico made special for the event.
“Florida is a melting pot and the people living here are a part of all different cultures and ethnicities,” the Middleton resident said. “At an event like this, we can come together and enjoy each others’ company with food and music. I also like the opportunity to eat food that I don’t typically get to have.”
Marc Pellicano, of Tampa, said his love of authentic Italian food was inspired by his grandparents, who owned a pizzeria in New Jersey. Hoping to spread his passion from his home to others with his business, Buanissimo, he participated in the event selling rubs and sauces, including “Sunday Gravey,” a special homemade spaghetti sauce Pellicano loves to pair with his handmade pasta.
Gary Van Der Ham, of Brooksville, was making a custom license plate frame for a customer who ordered a #1 Dad frame for Father’s Day. What started out as a hobby a year and a half ago has turned into Van Der Ham making more than 400 custom frames under the business name, Roadkill Signs by Gary.
He was excited to participate in the event not only to share his business — which he does solely to raise money for his 16-month-old granddaughter’s college fund — but to also celebrate community.
“I was born in Indonesia,” he said. “I have always been interested in different cultures and I try to get along with everyone. After 25 years working in the prison system, I take whatever God gives me and try to be happy.”
Just before a downpour ended the event earlier than planned, Fortissimo Foundation started its performance. Andrew Cutshall, the newly created jazz band’s co-director, said its members were eager for their first performance.
Nadine Riner and Randy Riner, of Webster, were glad they attended the community event.
“We have been here for over 20 years and we try to always support city activities,” Randy said.
“The more they do events like this, the more people will come,” Nadine said. “It will get bigger and continue to grow.”
Zapata said she hopes people had a good time during the event and are motivated to participate in other events the city has planned, including the last two scheduled for 2026.
The city’s fall-themed annual Pet Day event will include a pet costume contest, food trucks and pet adoptions from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Webster City Hall. And then the city’s largest event, Light Up Webster, will feature a parade, Christmas market, Santa and more on Dec. 5. More details about the event will be released soon.
For more information about the City of Webster and its events, visit websterfl.com.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
