DEARBORN — A number of Arab American youths have come together to organize the upcoming Ford Field Community Barbecue taking place at the Ford Field Park on Sunday, June 2, from 12:00-5:00 p.m. 

The organizers of the event say it is free of admission, and everyone is encouraged to come hungry. The Barbecue will feature halal food from Saad’s Halal Meat Market and Al-Ghadir’s Market, who are providing meat for the Barbecue. Everything from chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, salad, humous, other side dishes, and refreshments will be donated as well.

Other community co-sponsors of the event include Super-Greenland Market, Sajouna Bakery, Dearborn Fresh, Garden Foods, Habib’s Cuisine, and Cloud 9, who will be donating a limited supply of hookah for residents who attend the Barbecue.

Fun and games during the five hour event are also on the agenda. Along with a live DJ, a volley ball tournament and football and soccer games are being organized. Locals will also be able to compete with a dunk tank, and children can participate in a moonwalk game.

A committee was responsible for organizing the event by reaching out to sponsors, requesting permits from the City, and promoting the event. Those on the committee include students from the Arab Student Union of the University of Michigan-Dearborn, the Lebanese Student Association of Wayne State, and Hussein Hachem of The Lebanese American Heritage Club.

Hachem tells The Arab American News that the goal of the event is to have the community come together regardless of race or religion, and it’s open to residents from other cities as well. While the event had already been in the works prior to the announcement of the cancellation of this year’s Arab International Festival, Hachem says he hopes the Ford Field Barbecue can fill that void in the meantime.    

“This event should be an example of what we want in the future. Other events might have tensions regarding religions and stereotypes, so we are aiming for this to be as much inclusive as possible. This event is not just for Arabs and Muslims, we are hoping for it to be a bridge between East and West. It’s an opportunity to bring everyone together as one community,” Hachem stated.

Hachem and other locals have organized similar events in the past at Ford Field and Levagood Park in Dearborn, but those barbecues were limited to local students. The organizers are hoping that by expanding the event to involve the rest of the community. A strong turn out could solidify more events in the future, with a goal of turning it into an annual event.

Also available at the event will be a booth for residents to register to vote if they have not yet done so, but there will be no partisan political goals to that effort. Hachem says they are open to more sponsorships and volunteers. For more questions or additional information about the Ford Field Community Barbecue, contact Hachem at 313.258.6799.