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The annual Chicagoland Halal Fest on Saturday and Sunday had a new location this year at the Kane County Fairgrounds in St. Charles, offering more space for an event that fans say is a must on their summertime calendar
The annual event over the weekend featured over 100 different Halal food and shopping vendors along with a carnival, petting zoo and live entertainment
At the fest on Saturday, Mohamed Elvably of Chicago said he has come to the event “many times before.”
“I love the diversity of food – it’s crazy and one of the things that drew me here. It’s something I look forward to and it brings me back every year,” he said
Naperville resident Shafeek Abubaker, president of the Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce, said this was the fourth annual Halal Fest and that it was the first time holding it at the fairgrounds
“We started off in Naperville behind Neuqua Valley High School, but we changed the venue because we needed a bigger space which is why we are at the fairgrounds,” he said
Beginning last year, the fest evolved into a two-day event, based on feedback the group received from participating businesses
“This is an opportunity for them to showcase their products, food and merchandise and to come and set it up and take it down the same night was causing problems from a revenue standpoint and we just wanted to support the businesses more,” Abubaker said. “We got requests to expand this to two days.”
Last year, the event attracted 22,000 people during its two-day run
“We see people coming from all walks of life,” Abubaker said. “Even though the Halal is associated more with the Muslim community and way of living and what is permissible, the event attracts all kinds of people because of the diversity of cultures that are being displayed there. We have the Middle Eastern, the African and some of the eastern European cultures but at the same time, we have the American Muslim community also
“We have a lot of burger joints and Italian and Mexican food options that are all served,” Abubaker added. “The fest also includes cultural performances which attract people.”
Lines of cars packed the parking lots around the fairgrounds soon after the opening of Halal Fest on Saturday afternoon
Mina Khalil of Orland Park brought her two daughters Elinna, 9, and Elminna, 4, to the event and said this was her first time attending it
She said she was not surprised about the crowds at the event
“There’s a lot of us that’s why – Middle Eastern Turks and Muslims – there’s a lot of us. When there is a festival, we all come,” she said. “Our goals here are to shop and eat – that’s it – shop a lot.”
Mahwish Kidwai of Naperville came to the fest with some friends on Saturday
“I knew there would be a crowd. It was pretty popular last year,” she said. “I’m here with my friends and I want to try different foods and of course, there is shopping. We brought our wallet.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News
