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14th Arab International Festival
A
HUGE SUCCESS
The
Ferris Wheel that hovered over Warren Avenue during
the 14th Annual Arab International
Festival has packed up and moved on. The proud Arab
entrepreneurs who travelled from all over the
country to sell their distinctive wares at the
largest Arab-American street fair in our nation have
returned home. The local eateries who provided some
of the most beloved food all over the world
including rolled pita sandwiches, Shawarma, tabouli,
hummous and baklava have returned to their
establishments. Some of the international acts have
returned to their native countries. Nonetheless, the
festival certainly reminds all of us why we are so
proud to be from Michigan.
On behalf
of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce with its
presenting partner Ford Motor Company, and in
cooperation with the Arab Community Center for
Economic and Social Services, the Lebanese American
Heritage Club, and the City of Dearborn we would
like to thank all of our corporate, community and
media sponsors who have joined us in celebrating one
of Michigan’s ethnic treasures.
Over a
quarter-of-a-million people from across the country
and Canada continue to make it a planned family
vacation to celebrate our proud heritage. Patrons
enjoyed Middle-Eastern food, music, dance and warm
hospitality. There certainly was something for
everyone including live music, dance, children’s
tent, artisans and food vendors and of course the
large Ferris wheel that loomed over East Dearborn.
For the past 10-years, over 200 volunteers from
Impact International, a group dedicated to cultural
understanding, travels from the South for no other
purpose but to volunteer and support the festival
and community. Highlights of the Arab festival
include the opening ceremony ribbon cutting which
included State Senator Irma Clarke Coleman, Wayne
County Executive Robert Ficano, and Dearborn Mayor
Jack O’Reilly among the many others.
The
festival even attracted local, national and
international press. There were over 600,000 hits
leading up to the festival. Media attention included
You Tube, Forbes, MSNBC, Yahoo, USA Today and
locally Channels 2, 4, 7, Comcast Cable, Detroit
News, Detroit Free Press and Metro Times, just to me
a few. Imagine a festival beamed around the country
and the world via satellite on international
channels like MBN and ART. Our appreciation also
goes out to the local Arab media who continue to
give us great coverage.
Lastly,
the festival organizers are well aware of the
sacrifices the local businesses and neighborhoods
make year-after-year so that we can continue to
enjoy this festive cultural celebration. We would
like to thank all those that participated and
contributed and each of you for making this festival
an international success.
Next year
marks our 15th Annual Arab International
Festival and festival organizers are planning many
special events with all of you in mind. Thank you
and see you next year!
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