Pearland International Festival 2015 Celebrating the Mediterranean Arts & Culture, Sept. 19 in Pearland, TX

    HOUSTON, TX, September 09, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The 3rd annual Pearland International Festival is celebrating the arts and culture of the Mediterranean with a full day of music, food, wine, belly dancing, art and special events, including Pearland's first olive pit spitting contest. To keep the kids entertained, the H-E-B sponsored Kids Zone will have face painting, rides, games and crafts throughout the day. Join the fun at Pearland iFest Saturday, September 19, from 11 am to 9 pm at Pearland's Independence Park, 3919 Liberty Drive in Pearland.

What is believed to be the first-ever Olive Pit Spitting Contest in Pearland gets underway at 3:00 pm. A Mediterranean tradition, spitting olive pits is popular at olive festivals across the globe including in China, Italy, Belgium, Czech Republic and now Texas. The sport is played by both men and women and there are plenty of pit spitting rules. According to the International Federation of Pit Spitting (IFOPS), the world record is an amazing 70 feet. "We anticipate some champion level pit spitting," said Joshua Hari with PFPVA, "We're confidant Texans will be able to pit spit with the best of them."

In addition to H-E-B's Kids Zone, the Houston Rockets will host basketball challenges and Home Depot will teach wood crafts. Sure to be a big hit with kids of all ages is the Safari Event which gives kids the opportunity to walk or float on water in an air tight water hamster ball.

The festival mood begins with live music from The Fuse, Houston's variety cover band; the Galaxy Band recipient of the Caribbean Achievement Award 2014 - Best Live Band in Houston, who will entertain with a wide range of music; and XPRYNZ a five piece cover band set to play a variety of R&B, Blues and Rock. The Best Mariachi Band in Houston "Mariachi Calmecac" is returning to iFest after charming crowds last year.

Festival goers will not only have a choice of Mediterranean specialties, but a full array of international and American foods and snacks to choose from.

On the festive menu is Niko Niko's, H-E-B Sushiya, Tasti Delight offering Jamaican dishes, Mirepoix eggrolls, Maine-ly Sandwiches, Angie Bees Deep South Hot Spot and a Pearland favorite, Stadia Sports Grill. Other food vendors will offer festival favorites from corn dogs and fajita nachos to funnel cakes and barbecue to charbroiled hamburgers. If fried food is a favorite festival treat stop by Fry Daddy Concessions and the Happy Hour Food Truck.

Dancing is where the Mediterranean beat picks up steam. Festival goers will see several styles of dancing by Houston International Folkdancers, The Modern Gypsy Project, and Soraya & la Zambra Belly Dance. Sure to get the crowds moving will be the Gazelle Turkish Folk Dance Group, Cuadro La Tempestad Flamenco, Grupo Folklorico Raices de Panama, Lao American Association, Silambam Houston, Indian Classical Dance - Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Bolivian folk dancing by Kalpana Subbarao and the Bolivian Folk Dance Group.

In the VIP tent guests will enjoy wines from around the globe and local wineries will be on hand to offer samples paired with bites from local restaurants. The VIP tent is sponsored by Ivy District, Niko Niko's, Stadia Sports Grill, H-E-B Sushiya and the Reflection Bay Event Center at Shadow Creek. The Pearland Arts League will display work by local artists inside the tent. The VIP Wine Tasting Tent is a separate $40 admission for adults 21 and over.

Admission to iFest is $10 per person children 12 years and under are free. Free admission for active military with current ID. To see the performance schedule and to buy tickets visit pearlandifest.org.

Event parking and shuttle service is free at Pearland High School, First Baptist Church and the Country Club Strip Center. Paid parking is available at Golden Rule & Pearland Independence Park.

The Pearland International Festival is an annual event of Pearland Foundation for the Performing and Visual Arts (PFPVA). All proceeds from the festival will benefit Performance and Visual Arts Scholarships. Pearland International Festival Sponsors include H-E-B, Techstar, Allied Fire Protection, The Pearland Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), Texas First Bank, KVRN Radio Network, Michelob Ultra, Neighbor Emergency Center, The Ivy District, Naomi' House, The Law Office of Mark Smith, PLLC and Telemundo Houston. Vendor Booth & Sponsorship opportunities are available.

For more information about the Pearland International Festival, visit www.PearlandiFest.org or [email protected]. Call or Text 832-496-2583.

The Pearland International Festival is an annual event of Pearland Foundation for the Performing and Visual Arts (PFPVA). All proceeds from the festival will benefit Performance and Visual Arts Scholarships. For more information about the Pearland International Festival, visit www.PearlandiFest.org or [email protected]. Call 832-496-2583.

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