KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Market Square will light up on Saturday for festivities that include dancing, music, a fashion show and a falafel eating contest. ArabFest is heading to downtown Knoxville with plenty of fun planned from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., all as a way to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month before it comes to an end.
It's organized by The Arab American Club of Knoxville. They are working to bring traditional Dakbeh dances to the event, as well as a lineup of vendors eager to share merchandise from the Middle East.
"We're all a lot of fun people. All of us are just full of fun and excitement, and excited to share our our culture, and heritage, and history, and the food, and the music," said Lina Shatara, from the Arab American Club of Knoxville.
The event is family-friendly, and a list of the planned festivities is available below.
- Dancing
- Arts
- Food
- Nonstop music
- A fashion show
- Falafel eating contest
- Kids fun activities
- Henna arts
- The "Bakla-Walk"
The Arab American Club of Knoxville is a group dedicated to sharing Arab culture with the Knoxville community and teaching people across the area about it. ArabFest will start at 12 p.m. with an opening ceremony that includes Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, before introducing the club's board.
At 1 p.m., Susan Zogheib Metzger will share some cooking tips before Sen. Becky Duncan Massey (R - Knoxville) is expected to appear at 1:30 p.m.
At 2 p.m. the free falafel eating contest will begin, and winners will get a $100 gift card. Second place will get a $50 gift card. The food will be provided by Yassin's Falafel House, and a maximum of ten people can compete.
The Dabkeh dancing performances will start at 2:30 p.m. before cooking tips from Jason with Holy Land Market.
At 5 p.m. people can take part in the Bakla-Walk, and winners will get a box of baklava. Auntie Renee will then share her own cooking styles, before the 6 p.m. fashion show. The festival will end with music and dancing at 8 p.m.
"We are members of this community, and we have been here for a very long time. But we've never had a chance to showcase who we are. So that's what we are trying to do. We want to educate the students and the community here about what the Arab world is," said Susan Dakak, from the Arab American Club of Knoxville.