Jackson International Food & Art Festival 2024

Story by Chelsea-Catherine Croom, Photography by Lindsay Kilburn & Hannah Gore

The 10th annual International Food and Arts Festival was held on Saturday, September 21 at the Jackson Fairgounds. 

The Jackson International Food and Arts Festival was born from a series of community meetings organized by Mayor Jerry Gist in 2013.  Two community representatives in particular, Dr. Sandra Dee and Eduardo Morales, thought that it would be beneficial for Jackson’s foreign-born citizens to share their history, art, and culture with their fellow Jacksonians.  Dr. Dee and Mr. Morales agreed to co-chair the event and began recruiting like-minded community members to help organize, fund, and host an international party in Jackson!

The festival’s mission is to spread cultural awareness, promote cross-cultural engagement, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of residents throughout West Tennessee.  Food and art are important themes present in all cultures, countries, and religions, and the festival serves as a place for all cultures to share their cuisine, art, and traditional performances in Jackson.  The JIFAF aims to remind the community that despite differences in appearance, how we worship, or where we come from, there is far more that unites us than divides us.  

The event was a huge success yet again, and the most memorable moments for the attendees were the delicious smells of the different foods, the ever-popular Parade of Cultures, and the performances.