The overview
The 2023 event will be the 27th iteration of the festival hosted by the nonprofit American Turkish Association of Houston. Founded in 1979, the association hosts events and concerts throughout the year as well as Turkish classes for children and adults, Michelle Haskin, who serves as secretary with the group.
The event will take place from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 23 and from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 24 at The Waterworks at Buffalo Bayou Park, 105 Sabine St., Houston.
The backstory
The last time the festival took place was 2018, a year Haskin said set a record for attendance with around 10,000 people. The event took place in Jones Plaza at the time, and it was put on hiatus in 2019 while the plaza was being renovated. The coronavirus pandemic further delayed the event from returning, Haskin said.
Digging in
Entertainment at the event will include live music from Nova Band, a local band that formed among people within the Turkish association. Other bands include Yeni Türkü, a well-known Turkish band that has been together since 1978, and Tuana, a dance troupe that has performed in 45 countries, according to an August news release about the event.
The festival will include an area designated just for children, Haskin said, with an inflatable basketball court provided by the Houston Rockets. Other activities will include face painting and a station to take pictures with people dressed up in traditional Turkish outfits.
Restaurants and food vendors on hand will include:
- Opa
- 3 Women
- Shawarma Grill & Cafe
- Simit & Poacha Bakery
- Fadi's
- Beans Up Coffee
- Vefa Baklavacisi
- Gelato Constantino LLC
Tickets cost $10 and will be on sale for $12 at the gate on the day of the event. All children under age 13 can attend the event for free.
A portion of the profits raised from the event will be donated to earthquake relief funds in the wake of devastating earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria in February.
What else?
Beyond the Turkish festival, look out for a second big annual event hosted by the Turkish association every year: Children’s Day. The event takes place in late April in conjunction with the Turkish National Sovereignty Day.
What they're saying
"There was just a real sense from people in the community that people were excited for it," Haskin said, adding more than 30 people showed up to a kick-off meeting offering to help with event organization. "There's nostalgia for the celebration of Turkish culture."
