Food and culture festival relaunches as Bites on Seventh

EAT BLACK CHARLOTTE

The former East Black Charlotte Food & Culture Festival, now rebranded as Bites on Seventh, returns to Center City June 1.

The former Eat Black Charlotte Food & Culture Festival has new branding.

The renamed Bites on Seventh returns to Center City June 1 from 2-7 p.m. The fourth annual showcase will include more than a dozen Black-owned businesses including Q’s Culinary Cart, Ve-go Food Truck, Jazzy Cheesecakes, and Ms. Didi’s Caribbean Kitchen. Organizers expect more than 3,000 people to attend.

“It’s beautiful to see something that started as a hashtag in 2020 grow into a cultural movement,” Eat Black Charlotte co-founder Erique Berry said in a statement. “We were super intentional with how we designed the festival this year. We prioritized the commuter parking experience, partnered with Charlotte Mecklenburg Library for literacy programs and leveled up the entertainment factor.”

Among the music performers are 5-year-old rapper Savannah “VanVan” McConneaughey and Ray Singleton. Education programs for children are also on the docket.

The block-party style celebration will eoncompass multiple blocks of First Ward including Victoria Yards at 209 E. 7th Street, WFAE’s Center for Community and Civic Engagement at 301 E. 7th Street, and The Market at 7th Street at 224 E 7th Street.

Recording artist Savannah “VanVan” McConneaughey, 5, will perform at Bites on Seventh.

In the previous three years, the Eat Black Charlotte closed Eat Black Charlotte Week, which advocated support Black-owned restaurants. This year’s format highlights food vendors with an immersive Black food experience by navigating food tents and samples of curated fare and beverages.

“The added entertainment and performances this year will set the vibe,” said Cory Wilkins, co- founder of Eat Black Charlotte. “You’ll get good food, and it will also be a festival where you’ll
want to hang out all day while celebrating some of the best Black-owned restaurants in the city.”

The festival is free but reserving tickets at www.bitesfoodfestival.com is encouraged. Bites on Seventh is cashless, so festivalgoers are required to buy a $10 RFID wristband linked to a credit or debit card to buy food and beverages from vendors. Each RFID wristband purchase includes a $5 food and beverage credit for the festival.

RFID wristbands bought online will be mailed beforehand with a cut-off date of May 15. Bands will also be available at the festival.

A limited number of early entry tickets are available for $40, which Includes:

• One-hour early access to the festival

• RFID wristband with $5 credit

• Swag bag

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