SACRAMENTO, Calif. — One of Sacramento’s most iconic streets came alive Saturday as people gathered for the fourth annual Broadway International Festival, a celebration of diversity, culture, and food that many hope will help revitalize a neighborhood that has faced its share of challenges.
The event, founded by Zion Taddesse, owner of the Ethiopian restaurant Queen Sheba, showcased Broadway's cultural richness. Attendees enjoyed a variety of cuisines, live music, and art that reflected the vibrant diversity of the community.
“We have Mexican food, we have Ethiopian food, we have Asian food,” Taddesse said of her street. “Why not celebrate our diversity?"
While Broadway has long been a cultural hub, it has struggled in recent years with issues like crime, vandalism, and economic setbacks. Many local businesses have been affected, prompting calls for greater community support and development efforts.
Joseph Stinson, a vendor at the festival, expressed optimism about the event's role in fostering community unity.
“We know everybody’s struggling, especially at this time,” Stinson said. “So we need to be supporting the community and being alongside each other.”
The City of Sacramento has been working to address the area’s challenges through initiatives such as the Complete Streets program and affordable housing projects. However, progress has been uneven—highlighted by a fire in March that damaged a new apartment complex on the corridor.
Despite these setbacks, the festival offered a moment of celebration and hope.
“[This is about] bringing all walks of life, all over the world, to celebrate diversity, culture, food, music, fashion, and who we are as people here in Sacramento,” Taddesse said.
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