Malden hosting popular Phantom Gourmet Food Festival on Saturday

Thousands will descend on Malden Square for annual event taking place on Pleasant & Exchange Streets; limited tiered tickets still available online

  The City of Malden on Saturday is the host for the popular, longstanding food festival known as the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival. Previously it was held on Lansdowne Street next to Fenway Park in Boston, but the organization recently moved the event from an annual Boston-based festival to now two events that this year are being held in Malden Square on Saturday, June 25 and on Moody Street in Waltham on Saturday, Sept. 24. This Saturday’s event will be held from noon to 3:00 p.m., with special limited ticketing allowing entrance to the event at 11:00 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. to some visitors.

  As a complement to Malden’s ongoing Summer Festival series, this festival will bring thousands of visitors to Malden and expose them to the great options in the downtown and act as an economic boost for the many retail stores around the downtown. The event will take place in downtown Malden – closing off both Pleasant and Exchange Streets. The downtown will be enclosed in a series of metal gates, which will constitute the festival area. The event is 21-plus only, and alcoholic beverages will be served on the festival grounds. There will be over 50 food vendors serving up samplings from restaurants from Malden and across the state of Massachusetts and beyond!

  The Phantom Gourmet is also using this as an opportunity to partner with Malden’s own Bread of Life food pantry – encouraging festival goers to bring donations to the festival.

  You can learn all about the food festival by visiting the festival website at https://www.phantomgourmetmalden.com/, where you can view their frequently asked questions.

  Traffic & Parking

  There will be significant traffic and parking restrictions and alterations on both Friday, June 24 (to allow for setup) and Saturday, June 25. Please note that, as a courtesy for the downtown parking disruptions, there will be free parking at both the CBD and Jackson Street garages all day Friday and Saturday, although on Saturday they may be full due to festival goers using the garages. Parking restrictions on Friday, June 25: The odd side of Pleasant from Hugh O’Neill’s to City Hall Plaza will have no parking from 7:00 a.m. Friday through the conclusion of the festival on Saturday (approximately 6:00 p.m.). The Odd side of Exchange Street from Middlesex (Faces Brewing) to Abbott Street will have no parking from 7:00 a.m. Friday through the conclusion of the festival on Saturday (approximately 6:00 p.m.). The Pleasant Street Parking Lot will have intermittent closures on Friday and will be completely closed Saturday through the conclusion of the festival (approximately 6:00 p.m.). Parking restrictions on Saturday, June 25: All of Exchange Street from Middlesex to Commercial will have no parking or through traffic starting at 6:00 a.m. Saturday through the conclusion of the festival (approximately 6:00 p.m.). All of Pleasant Street from Middlesex to Commercial Street will have no parking or through traffic starting at 6:00 a.m. Saturday through the conclusion of the festival (approximately 6:00 p.m.). The Pleasant Street Parking lot will be completely closed Saturday through the conclusion of the festival (approximately 6:00 p.m.). Public Parking Garages: Both the CBD Parking Garage and the Jackson Street Parking Garage will have free parking to both festival goers as well as patrons of the downtown all day Friday and Saturday.

  Safety and Security

  The event will be kept safe by a partnership of various agencies, including the Malden Police, Malden Fire, Cataldo EMS, Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, Mass. State Police and finally the Phantom Gourmet staff, consisting of over 100 staff members, which will include a private security firm hired by Phantom Gourmet.

  How to Attend

  This event is managed by the Phantom Gourmet. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time online at phantomgourmetmalden.com/tickets or can be purchased at the gate at full price (while supplies last). The event will likely sell out.