COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus’ biggest buffet known as the Ethnic Expo international festival unfolded Friday with the assorted aroma of seemingly every delectable dish imaginable wafting among a strong crowd at Second and Washington streets. And it seemed fitting that, two hours after the event opened, host country Japan boasted the longest line of nearly 30 customers waiting among the 33 food booths — seven more than last year.
Leticia Hernandez was among those patient people.
“Japanese food is my favorite,” Hernandez said in Spanish through a translator. “I just really love the flavor and the texture.”
Therein lies one of the beauties of Expo, launched by Columbus first lady Barbara Stewart in 1984 as a way of making internationals feel more at home here — and also as a way of building bridges and friendships. One brief walk through the crowd among the food or international bazaar vendors demonstrates multiple languages spoken and multiple nations represented in a small-but-cosmopolitan community that is home to global corporations.
Jody Coffman, Expo coordinator and the city’s communications and events coordinator, mentioned that this year’s event, which continues today from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., is nearly back up to the overall size of the gathering before the COVID pandemic struck in 2020. Besides food, Expo features a broad range of music, dance, and this year even includes a Japanese kimono fashion revue.
“I feel like we’re going to continue to grow,” Coffman said.
For the complete story and more photos, see Wednesday’s Republic.
