Arab Fest: Huge Success!

Here is the write-up from the Arab Fest organizers about how it all went down:

15th Arab International Festival

A HUGE SUCCESS

The record breaking 15th Annual Dearborn Arab International festival, June 18-20, drew over 350,000 people from around the country and parts of Canada. The expanded festival that stretched over 1.5 miles on Warren Avenue continues to be the largest street festival in the nation.

In an effort to promote the festival, American Arab Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Fay Beydoun, decided it was time to highlight Middle-Eastern cuisine live on the metro-Detroit airwaves. Lebanese delights were featured on Fox-2 Detroit's weekend news with hosts Deana Centifonti and Jay Towers. Beydoun was a guest on their live cooking segment as she explained to hundreds of thousands of viewers how to make hummous. Accompanying Beydoun was Greenland Super Store Executive Chef Bilal Masri who tantalized viewers with authentic cuisine. The food included breakfast meat and cheese pies, chicken and lamb schawarma sandwiches, fruit smoothies, vegetarian grape leaves, stuffed squash, potato and lamb stew over rice, and other delicious items.

Another new event was the first annual hot dog eating contest sponsored by Leo's Coney Island. There were eight contestants who were given four minutes to down as many hot dogs as possible. The top three winners received cash prizes from Leo's. (You can see me to the far left in the photo below. I am wearing the shades. I was deemed "the lead person" on organizing the event. It was so fun and I learned a lot about promoting a hot dog joint that day:)

There was also an expanded carnival, children's interactive tent, adult main stage, artisans tent, international food booths, Arab merchandise, henna and psychic readings. As the organizer of the event, the Chamber would like to extend its gratitude to its presenting partner Ford Motor Company and in cooperation with the City of Dearborn and the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) for their financial and logistical support. Also, a heartfelt thank you to the over 150 Impact International volunteers from the deep south who come in the name of promoting cross-cultural understanding. They have embraced the beauty of the community just as we appreciate all their volunteer efforts and southern hospitality.

It was a great trip and I will be posting more soon! Thanks for all your thoughts and support.