Caribbean culture will take center stage on Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25 In Mount Vernon.

The Antigua and Barbuda International Cultural Association, based in Mount Vernon, kicked off the festivities on Friday night with an event at the Doles Center. The evening featured captivating steel drum music, a beloved staple in Antigua, and a panel discussion delving into the rich history of Antigua and Barbuda.

This kickoff event was a prelude to the International Food Festival, set to take place on Saturday. The festival will host over 30 vendors offering a diverse array of global cuisines, with a special emphasis on Caribbean dishes.

"We really want to promote our culture," said Dwight Christian, president of the Antigua and Barbuda International Cultural Association. "It's going to be lots of food, lots of fun, lots of music. Just come with a healthy appetite and you'll be content."

One of the festival's vendors is Patricia Simpson, co-founder of Completely Natural. Healing others is a passion for Simpson. "For me, it was a dream I had when I was much younger," she shared.

That dream became a reality when she launched Completely Natural in 2016, though the company truly took off in 2022. They offer healthy drinks made with healing herbs, fruits and vegetables.

"Coming from Jamaica, we know about a lot of these herbs and these herbs we have used over the years to help the body and it has helped in many ways for many different ailments," explained Simpson.

Now, Simpson is bringing this generational knowledge to Mount Vernon at 268 E 3rd St. She mentioned that they are currently working on their website.

The International Food Festival will be held at Hartley Park in Mount Vernon from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 25.