11th Annual Dearborn Arab International Festival, June 16, 17 & 18

'Largest Arab street fair featuring Middle Eastern food, music and fun'

DEARBORN, Mich., June 7 -- On Father's Day weekend, June 16, 17 & 18, twelve blocks of Warren Avenue (between Wyoming and Schaefer) will become the nation's largest Middle-Eastern street fair, the 11th Annual Dearborn Arab International Festival. Over 300,000 people from around the globe attend this free, family-oriented cultural extravaganza.

New this year, festival-goers will boldly attempt a Guinness Book Record for the largest dance circle, sponsored by AT&T. Some 7,000 will join hands in the Arab folk dance, called "dabke," on Saturday, June 17th at 5:45 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to join in, learn a few simple steps on the spot, and go down in history kicking it up in the street. You will see corporate contingents, dance troops, scouts, ethnic dancers in costume, families and friends united in celebration!

Visitors will enjoy free, continuous live entertainment from Africa and the Middle East, courtesy of DaimlerChrysler. Acts include Hakim, the Lion of Egypt; Marwa of Lebanon; Karl Wolf; and many local acts, like D.J. Refugee.

Delight in traditional Mediterranean favorites from 30 international food booths featuring classic shawarma sandwiches, hummus, tabbouli, fresh juice smoothies, and for finicky kids, hot dogs, burgers, and fries. Forty artisans display Middle Eastern jewelry, clothing, literature, art and trinkets, and feature coffee cup fortune telling and henna art.

Children of all ages are entertained in GM's Children's Tent, featuring a live stage hopping with cultural acts and supervised activities like face painting, arts and crafts, clowns, balloon sculptures and music.

The festival center contains amusements for every age: roller coasters, a giant Ferris wheel, all the carnival favorites.

The event is spearheaded by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, co- hosted by Ford Motor Company in cooperation with the City of Dearborn, the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services (ACCESS) and the Lebanese American Heritage Club.

"We are a community rich in culture, ethnic pride and entrepreneurship. Ahlan or welcome to our neighborhood where everyone treats you like family," said American Arab Chamber Executive Director, Muhannad Haimour.

The festival is free to the public. Festival hours are below. Free shuttle service every 15 minutes from Davenport University is provided by Classic Trolley Co. For more information, call: 313.945.1700 or visit http://www.americanarab.com/festival .

              Festival hours: Friday (June 16): 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.
              Saturday (June 17): noon - 10 p.m.
                        Dance Circle: 6 p.m.
              Sunday (June 18): noon - 8 p.m.