After canceling its famous triannual festival two years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnamese restaurant Sandwich Hag is set to recommence night market celebrations in Dallas’ Cedars district on March 26.
This spring’s event will be the first since the pandemic forced organizers to cancel in 2020.
“The time has come for the HAG to bring back our night markets starting with Lunar New Year World Down Syndrome Day! Stay tuned for deets on a date and a sick, sick SICK vendor line-up!” the Sandwich Hag wrote on its Facebook page.
According to The Dallas Morning News, this event will be a combined celebration of the Lunar New Year and World Down Syndrome Day, observed on March 21.
The festival will feature Sandwich Hag’s regular menu alongside the bánh mì xíu mại special, a meal consisting of flavorsome pork meatballs in Vietnamese red sauce and baguette from Quốc Bảo Bakery.
This event will also showcase artwork made by students from My Possibilities and The Notre Dame School of Dallas, two educational programs designed for students with intellectual disabilities.
Reyna “Reye” Duong, Sandwich Hag executive chef and founder, said the community could use a celebration.
“This is just a little bit of happiness and gratefulness to still be alive. It’s a little reminder that there is more good than bad,” Duong said.
While masks are not required at the event, Duong said they are certainly encouraged for those at high risk for COVID-19 illness.
Vendors present in this year’s event include Thid Jai, Momo Shack Himalayan Dumplings, Haute Sweets Patisserie, Kessler Baking Studio, and a new modern Vietnamese pop-up called Bà Chằng. Jinny Cho from Frisco’s Detour Doughnuts will serve her Korean soup, while Ka-Tip Thai Street Food will serve pork skewers at the event.
Doung advised attendees to rideshare, take public transportation, or bike to the location, as there will be limited parking space. All transactions at this year’s event will be cashless.
The festival runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on March 26 at the Sandwich Hag, located at 1902 Botham Jean Boulevard.