The Jewish Food Festival returns to Mequon this weekend, here's what to know

Claire Reid, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Updated ·4 min read

A few years ago, Rabbi Moshe Luchins and his wife, Sheina, questioned why, among the Milwaukee area's extensive summer festival line up, there was no festival celebrating Jewish culture.

After hosting winter events where people could sample kosher dishes, the couple had no doubt people were interested in Jewish food, they told the Journal Sentinel last summer. So, in 2019, they held Mequon's first Jewish Food Festival, which quickly outgrew its original Virmond Park venue.

The Jewish Food Festival is being coordinated by Rabbi Moshe Luchins along with his wife, Sheina. It will be held Aug. 6-7 at Rotary Park in Mequon.
The Jewish Food Festival is being coordinated by Rabbi Moshe Luchins along with his wife, Sheina. It will be held Aug. 6-7 at Rotary Park in Mequon.

Now in its fifth year, the Jewish Food Festival is returning to Mequon's Rotary Park Aug. 6-7 with a diverse menu, family-friendly entertainment lineup, and lots of educational and cultural activities.

Here's what you should know about the summertime celebration of Jewish cuisine and culture.

When is the Jewish Food Festival?

Mequon's 2023 Jewish Food Festival takes place Sunday, Aug. 6 and Monday, Aug. 7. Festival hours are noon to 7 p.m. both days.

While most Milwaukee-area festivals run on Friday and Saturday, the Jewish Food Festival takes place over a Sunday and Monday each year due to Jewish Shabbat laws, which many observers of the faith follow, Sheina Luchins told the Journal Sentinel last year. Many Jews refrain from cooking, driving, using electricity and doing other work on Fridays after sunset and on Saturdays.

Pastrami sandwiches will be among the traditional kosher favorites available at the Jewish Food Festival.
Pastrami sandwiches will be among the traditional kosher favorites available at the Jewish Food Festival.

Where is the Jewish Food Festival?

The Jewish Food Festival is at Rotary Park, 4100 Highland Road, Mequon.

Festival attendees should enter through the Reuter Pavillion east entrance. Signs and balloons will help point out the entrance.

What foods are at the Jewish Food Festival?

The Jewish Food Festival menu features a wide array of kosher dishes, including sides, traditional deli sandwiches, Israeli meals and desserts. Multiple gluten free and vegetarian options are available.

Food offerings include stuffed cabbage, chicken matzah ball soup, falafel pitas and plates, shwarma pitas and plates, apple turnover, chocolate babka, and pastrami, corned beef and turkey sandwiches.

Two dinnertime specials will be offered during the festival. Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m., barbecue pulled chicken sandwiches with fries and coleslaw will be available for $14. On Monday from 5 to 7 p.m., a limited quantity of glazed beef ribs, slow cooked in a sweet and sticky sauce, will be available for $32. The ribs also come with fries and coleslaw.

Throughout the festival, water and soda will be available for purchase. Drinks, popcorn and cotton candy can also be purchased at the Dessert Tent.

A complete Jewish Food Festival menu with prices and descriptions can be found online here.

Shawarma is among the traditional offerings at the Jewish Food Festival.
Shawarma is among the traditional offerings at the Jewish Food Festival.

Are there kosher options at the Jewish Food Festival?

Everything at the Jewish Food Festival is kosher under the supervision of Chabad of Mequon, according to the festival website.

What's new at the Jewish Food Festival this year?

This year, festival-goers can visit the interactive Jewish Food Festival Shtetl and learn about life in an 1800s Jewish village.

In the Shtetl, visitors can explore interactive workshops and activities like learning how to write Hebrew letters with a quill, making matzah, crafting things from leather, candle making and challah braiding. Guests can also check out a shofar horn display and get their questions answered by the Rabbi and people in-training to be scribes.

A map, schedule and menu for Mequon's 2023 Jewish Food Festival.
A map, schedule and menu for Mequon's 2023 Jewish Food Festival.

What is the music and entertainment lineup?

Visitors can enjoy live music and family-friendly entertainment shows both days of the festival.

The live music lineup includes DJ BG Good, a violinist, Marbin Gypsy Jazz and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Trio. Entertainment shows include "Mischief and Magic," a balloon artist and the Kosher Show.

More information about the Jewish Food Festival's music and entertainment can be found here on the festival website.

Foods planned for the Jewish Food Festival represent various national cuisines, such as this Russian chocolate babka.
Foods planned for the Jewish Food Festival represent various national cuisines, such as this Russian chocolate babka.

What else is there to do at the Jewish Food Festival?

In addition to food and entertainment, the festival offers a "Fun Zone" for kids with inflatables, a kosher petting zoo and a 3D photo booth. All activities are free.

Do I need tickets to go to the Jewish Food Festival?

Admission to the Jewish Food Festival is free, and tickets are not required. However, food and drinks are not free. Both cash and credit card payments are accepted.

Where can I park, and how much does it cost?

Parking at the Jewish Food Festival is free. Festival parking volunteers will direct drivers to the staging and parking areas. Premium parking can be purchased for an additional cost.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Jewish Food Festival 2023 Mequon: Schedule, lineup, foods, parking