Your Guide to the Arab International Festival

Amidst the , and despite , the 16th annual Dearborn will take place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in east Dearborn along 12 blocks of Warren Avenue between Schaefer Road and Wyoming Street.

The free festival, hosted by the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, runs 5-10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.

Here’s a look at the weekend lineup, including live music and dance, carnival rides and contests.

Happening All Weekend

• Dozens of food vendors serving international flavors from the Middle East and beyond
• Carnival rides, a Ferris wheel and games
• A children’s tent with face painting, clowns, puppeteers and dance
• Crafts, arts, henna design, jewelry and more for sale

Friday, June 17

• Ardán Academy of Irish Dance, 7-7:30 p.m. in the Children’s Tent. This group of talented young dancers will perform traditional Irish dances in authentic costumes. 
• Magician Tom Plunkard, 7:45-8:15 p.m. in the Children’s Tent. Plunkard’s show will include plenty of tricks, laughter and also some education.

Saturday, June 18

• Troupe Ta'Amullat, 5:30-6 p.m. in the Children’s Tent. A festival favorite, this Middle Eastern dance group is based out of Ann Arbor. They will present the movement, music and culture of North Africa, the Near East and Central Asia. 
• Halal Hot Dog-Eating Contest, 6 p.m. Hosted by of Dearborn, this is the second year of the contest. Participants from , and high schools will compete for a chance to win a cash prize.
• Twist & Shout, 6:15-6:45 p.m. in the Children’s Tent. This popular clown’s show includes magic, storytelling, balloon sculptures and more fun for the kids.
• Sarisan Slovak Folk Ensemble, 7-7:30 p.m. in the Children’s Tent. This group, based out of Sterling Heights, performs traditional Slovakian dance numbers.
• Magician Jeff Wawrzaszek, 7:45-8:15 p.m. in the Children’s Tent. Wawrzaszek is known as one of Michigan’s most experienced magicians and has been performing for more than 40 years. He has performed all over the U.S. and oversees, but is bringing his show right to Dearborn this weekend.
• Habibi Middle Eastern Dance, 8:30-9 p.m. in the Children’s Tent. This Lansing-based group performs a wide range of dance styles, from the classical Raqs Sharki to the folkloric dances using baskets and canes.

Sunday, June 19

• Illusionist Baffling Bill, 5:30-6 p.m. in the Children’s Tent. Bill will perform a spectacular show of illusions with props, including a stove and a washer. Check it out to see what he does with them.
• Aegela's Center for Middle Eastern Dance Toledo and Aida's Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble, 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Children’s Tent. These two dance groups will close out the festival. Both groups will perform Middle Eastern dances with the utmost expertise–Aegela and Aida Al Adawi have been performing since 1978 and 1989, respectively. For a full feature on Aida's Middle Eastern Dance Ensemble, click here.