Middfest International

Celebrate all things French during Butler County’s premier cultural event, Middfest International. Middfest is a fun and exciting educational event that aims to bridge the gap between cultures and boarders and bring exceptional educational opportunities to guests. Middfest celebrates a different country each year through a wide range of programs in arts, culture, and business. This year, the festival will focus on the largest country in Western Europe, France! 

Middfest will feature a variety of cultural exhibits, history and government lectures by notable preofesors and professionals, science and technology presentations including Gustave Eiffel, the creator of the world famous Eiffel Tower, agricultural and animal demonstrations featuring French dog breeds, literature and language discussions including performances of two French plays the Middletown Lyric Theatre, and religion presentations featuring tours of the lovely BeauVerre Riordan Stained Glass Studio.

The culture festival will also showcase French performing arts including musical performances on two stages, French CanCan dancers, cultural storytelling, and a youth park where children can meet the Hunchback of Notre Dame and meet people of 16th century France.

No festival is complete without food! Sample the best of French food in the International Food Court that will feature foods from across the country. Watch French food demonstrations at Donham Plaza and grab a French glass of wine in Middfest's wine garden.

EXPLORE:
Elegance originated by the French, when men wore silk stockings and high healed shoes.
Enlightenment Learn about the powerful political thinkers who strongly influenced France and the American Colonies
Engage with France through fairy tales to modern literature, through a 14th century farce to a contemporary play, from films to informed speakers.
Eyes will gaze at the beauty of stained glass windows and the majesty of French Cathedrals
Eiffel’s tower dominated the French 1889 World Fair.  It will again demand our attention towering over many other engineering and scientific accomplishments in the Science Center..
Ever popular Youth Park will welcome little kids into King Babar’s royal court and acquaint bigger kids with the characters from the Hunch Back of Notre Dame.  Kids of all ages will enjoy the caves at Lascaux.
Entertainers from France will be joined by performers from many cultures.  Especially look for the glass orchestras. 
Eating is never far from the minds of the French or from Middfest attendees.  French cuisine will get top billing among foods representing many cultures.  Sit for awhile to sample French wines and cheese in the Wine Garden. 
Exotic gifts and folk arts will share shelf space in the booths in the World Bazaar. There will be time to shop!

Schedule of Events:

Sunday, September 23: Stained Glass Tour ($12) from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tour from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. starting and ending at Beauerre Riordan Studios. Wine/cheesepairing ($4) from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday, September 30: Exhibits opening and French cuisine sampling at 3 p.m at Donham Plaza and the City Building.

Week of October 5: French guest appearances in area schools. To schedule, call 513-425-7701.

Friday, October 5: Business activities and lunchon TBA. Opening ceremonies at 6 p.m.

Saturday, October 6: Super Saturday for the kids! Registration at 9 a.m. Programs at 10 a.m. Plaza opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. Exhibits close at 9 p.m.

Sunday, October 7: French finale (6-8 p.m.). Plaza opens at noon until 8 p.m. Exhibits close at 6 p.m.

Just for the kids:

Visit Middfest's Youth Park which will feature:

-fun filled activities for kids of all ages

-popular French music at Middfest's listening stations filled with fun facts about the featured artists

-Discover 15th century France through the eyes of Victor Hugo's "The Hunchback of Nore Dame". Become the characters and watch the story come to life with Quasimod, the gypsy, the performer, the executioner, and more!

-Help King Babar find the key to his royal treasury. The reward is keeping a piece of the treasure for yourself!

-Explore the caves at Lascaux to find ancient Cro-Magnon drawings and create your own using similar material that these 'cavemen' used 20,000 years ago. 

-Journey to Asteroid B-612 and join the Little Prince on his adventure to find answers, friendship, and love. Together, you can the Little Prince will encounter characters such as a king, a lamplighter, a geographer, a snake, a fox, and many others!