The Ninth Avenue Food Festival began in 1973. The annual food extravaganza, which takes place over a weekend in mid May, turns our city's most famed food district -; Hell's Kitchen -; into a gastronomic heaven. Ninth Avenue between 37th and 57th Streets is closed to traffic and welcomes over a million people eager to feast on savory culinary delights and experience a fun filled weekend outdoors. Ninth Avenue restaurants, and outside vendors cover a wide range of ethnic cuisines from all around the world.The food, of course, is the biggest draw of the Festival. Here one can try Argentinean, Brazilian, French, Greek, German, Indian, Italian, Turkish, Ukrainian, Thai, Vietnamese cuisine -; and so much more. However, there is more to this festival than the consumption of food. It's a unique opportunity to experience numerous cultures, and all in one neighborhood. Live entertainment, varying from musical bands to performance troupes from all over the world are an inseparable part of the festival experience. Performers vary from Egyptian belly dancers to Celtic high steppers. Activities throughout the two day festival also include a children's pavilion on 53rd and 54th Streets. For avid shoppers, there are over 200 vendors selling jewelry, clothing, arts, crafts, music and much more.