Southfield Civic Center site of Chaldean festival
SOUTHFIELD – The Chaldean Community Foundation and the North American Midway have partnered with the City of Southfield to co-host the sixth-annual Chaldean Festival, June 10-12 at the Southfield Civic Center.
The three-day festival will feature a full carnival with amusement park rides and games. There will also be additional attractions, such as food booths, live entertainment, merchant booths, and an expanded cultural tent displaying Chaldean culture and art.
The Chaldean Festival is a celebration of contemporary Chaldean culture for anyone who wishes to be a part of the festivities and learn about the Chaldean roots.
“With an expected 10,000 additional Chaldean refugees coming to Michigan over the next year, our annual Chaldean Festival is an opportunity to show metro Detroit who we are, as a community,†said Martin Manna, executive director, Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce. “Chaldean entertainers, businesses and food vendors all participate, offering a look at our culture as well as contributions to southeast Michigan’s business community.â€
Evergreen Road, between 10 Mile and 11 Mile Road, will be closed June 10-12 for the event. Festival activities will be held on Evergreen Road and the Southfield Civic Center lawn between 4-10 p.m., Friday, June 10; noon to 10 p.m., Saturday, June 11; and noon to 10 p.m., Sunday, June 12.
The festival is also working with the City of Southfield to reinvigorate the Southfield Jazz Festival, last held in 2009, by making Friday a jazz night.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Chaldean Community Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable arm of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce.
Chaldeans are the indigenous people of Iraq who speak Aramaic and are Eastern Rite Catholic. Metro Detroit hosts the largest Chaldean population outside of Iraq.
According to a survey conducted in 2008 by Walsh College and The United Way, more than 113,000 Chaldeans reside in 27,500 households across Southeast Michigan. An additional 8,400 Iraqi Chaldean Refugees have resettled in Michigan since the survey was completed.
The Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce is a partnership of Chaldean businesses and professionals working together to strengthen members’ business, increase job opportunities, encourage expansion and promote Chaldean business and culture.
The Chamber seeks to service and represent Aramaic-speaking people, including Assyrians, Chaldeans and Syriacs. For more information, visit www.chaldeanchamber.com.