Chaldean Festival celebrates its seventh year in Southfield

The Chaldean Community Foundation and the North American Midway have partnered with the City of Southfield to co-host the seventh annual Chaldean Festival on June 8, 9 and 10 at the Southfield Civic Center lawn, located at 26000 Evergreen Rd., in Southfield.

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.

“As we embark upon our seventh year of the Chaldean Festival the community presence and attendance continues to increase, giving us 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.”

This year’s festival will take place from 5-10 p.m. on Friday, June 8; noon to

10 p.m. on Saturday, June 9; and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday, June 10 at the Southfield Civic Center lawn, and Evergreen Road, between 10 and 11 Mile Road. Evergreen Road will be closed June 8 – 10 for the event.

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.

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