On Saturday, August 9, by mid-morning, the mouth-watering scent of meat grilling over open flames had already drawn a sizable crowd to the second annual Halal Festival at NewPark Mall. The excitement was tangible as festival-goers anticipated a day of indulging in a variety of halal delicacies.
This year, many attendees arrived early to avoid the lengthy lines and wait times that marked last year’s inaugural event. They aimed to sample as many diverse dishes as possible before the festival hit peak attendance.
The Halal Festival 2.0 promised an expanded and enhanced experience compared to its predecessor. It featured a larger array of food vendors, more family-friendly entertainment, and an increased number of sellers in the bazaar. The festival drew an impressive turnout, with approximately 8,500 people attending.
With 27 food vendors on site, the culinary offerings were diverse and plentiful. Visitors could enjoy everything from Chinese appetizers like potstickers and eggrolls to Afghan chicken kabobs and chaplis (ground beef kabobs). Pakistani tandoori kabobs on skewers, fusion Mexican dishes, ice cream, smoothies, and classic American fare like fried chicken, hot dogs, burgers, and steaks were also available. These American dishes, in particular, proved to be crowd favorites, attracting the longest lines.
Irfan Rydhan, a passionate foodie and one of the festival organizers, noted that these popular foods are especially coveted by Muslims who adhere to halal dietary restrictions and don’t have regular access to them.
The term “halal” translates to “permissible” in Arabic, outlining dietary laws similar to kosher rules for Jewish people, which exclude pork and alcohol.
This year’s festival introduced several new features. Attendees paid a $3 admission fee in advance or $5 at the door, purchasing food and beverages directly from the vendors. This system replaced last year’s token-based exchange method.
Food vendors were better prepared this year, expecting 7,000 to 8,000 attendees. This preparation allowed most visitors to sample a wide range of foods, unlike the previous year when unexpectedly high attendance led to food shortages.
The festival also offered an increased number of activities, rides, live performances, and family-friendly programs. Highlights included a cooking demonstration and three eating contests, with separate events for men and women. Participants competed to consume the most spicy chicken wings, a large snow cone, and Gulab Jamun (a sweet Pakistani dessert) within a set time.
Organizers also tripled the seating capacity under canopies to approximately 500 spots, yet finding a seat was still a challenge as people scoured the area for available tables and chairs.
Despite a slight decrease in attendance compared to last year, attributed to the introduction of the admission fee, feedback was largely positive. Attendees praised the improved organization and suggested further enhancements, such as clearer signage and additional seating.
Looking ahead, organizers plan to distribute a survey to gather more feedback on how to enhance the festival experience.
“Our goal was to showcase the variety of halal foods and celebrate the diversity within our community,” Rydhan said. “Many people remarked that the festival felt like an Eid celebration, bringing together Muslims of all backgrounds—Sunni, Shia, and others, both religious and secular—to enjoy and celebrate together.”
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