Volunteers in the African community are banding together to bring back a popular Milwaukee picnic that took place each summer for about a decade. It was a family-centric celebration of food, culture, music and tribal diversity. After a five-year hiatus, that community potluck returns next month. African Fiesta 2016 takes place July 23 (2-9 p.m.) at Brown Deer Park.
Various African communities in Milwaukee are bringing their regional cuisines and talents in music and artistry to create this free community potluck. Yollande Tchouapi Deacon of sponsoring restaurant Irie Zulu plans to offer specialties, including peanut stew, joloff rice, foo foo (a mash eaten as a side dish), sweet plantains, efo riro (Nigerian vegetable soup), egusi (also a Nigerian soup), and a fried snack called puff puff. “Everyone is encouraged to bring and display their homeland skills, foods and art,” says Deacon. Location: 7853 N. Green Bay Rd., Picnic Areas 5-8. This is a free event open to the public.
