Families and friends joined together to attend the Third Annual Culture Fest at Trinity United Methodist Church Oct. 5. This vibrant event showcased the rich diversity of the Homewood community, featuring special foods and unique items from 20 countries. 

Cultures around the globe include Afghanistan, Vietnam, Ukraine, Indonesia, Peru and Guatemala.

The Outreach Hub, a Trinity-sponsored organization responsible for helping local people in need, hosts the event. Outreach Hub director Mary Liz Ingram, describes the atmosphere of the festival as an inclusive event for everyone to come.

“We really want to create a good connection space where people from all over the world can meet each other and celebrate together,” Ingram said.

The festival gives attendees the chance to broaden their horizons to new people, traditions and foods. The festival is open to the public and typically has around 200 people attending.

Tiara Budiarta, a freshman at HHS, hosted the Indonesia stall with her family. 

“It’s so much fun to see so many people with so much diversity and uniqueness,” Budiarta said. “You get to meet lots of new people, and you get to learn a lot more about the country that they are from.”

Many stall hosts were recruited through English classes and connections within the Outreach Hub. In addition to delicious food and cultural displays, the festival features different activities, such as bounce houses and games on the soccer field next to the festival.

Physical therapist and Trinity member Angie Hartman expressed her excitement about attending the 2025 Culture Fest. 

“We got to try lots of different foods from different countries and meet lovely people and learn about new countries and cultures and connect through food,” Hartman said.

The Outreach Hub has about 250 volunteers each week. Many of those workers helped set up, greet people and clean up after, continuing their commitment to serving the Homewood community.