Community members had an opportunity to checkout Downtown Wheaton’s ethnic markets in an event sponsored by Montgomery County and the Smithsonian Resident Associates.

The daylong tours took place, Oct. 1 and 15, guiding participants through Wheaton’s show of diverse cultures, cooking styles and ingredients, and other gems common to different ethnicities. The 15 markets represented at the tour included Brazil, Ethiopia, Italy, Latin America, Vietnam, the Philippines, Asia and the Middle East.

“The Smithsonian Resident Associates Program has recognized that Wheaton’s markets are a vibrant, eclectic draw for people who want to learn about different cultures,” said Natalie Cantor, Mid-County Regional Services Center Director. “This is the first partnership of its kind for the County, and it enhances our efforts to promote the revitalized Downtown Wheaton.”

The recently redesigned Downtown Wheaton was designated as an Arts and Entertainment District by the State of Maryland. It holds several events throughout the year to showcase the visual, culinary and performing arts.

In November, George Mason University Professor Lawrence Butler will lead a “Walking Tour of Istanbul,” at the Freer Gallery. The speaker will provide a lecture on the country’s layered, multi-ethnic culture and the terminus of the Silk Road.

More information can be found online at: http://residentassociates.org/