Seattle Center Festál Announces Seattle Arab Festival

Embrace the cultures of the Pacific Northwest and cultivate love, peace and understanding of the communities that make up our region at Seattle Center Festál. Join us for Seattle Center Festál: Seattle Arab Festival, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, August 10 - 11 at Seattle Center Armory, Fisher Pavilion and Fisher Rooftop for two days showcasing the diversity, talent and acommplishments of 22 Arab nations.

Over the two-day festival, guests can walk through a wooden gate to explore a Souk (Arabic market) with vendor booths that resemble a traditional old market, covered with fabric purchased from the Middle East. Inside, partake in the Diwan (hospitality suite) hosted by the Libyan community, where complimentary hot drinks and desserts will be served.

Outside of Fisher Pavilion, see demonstrations by local chefs, Khal Beleh of Petra Bistro and Anwar Dihan of Mediterranean Oasis, Wild Joudeh of Dreamland Kitchen and Nadia Dahleh who will create authentic Middle Eastern fare. A variety of Arabic desserts are available, including kanafeh, warbat, booza (ice cream), balboas and more.

Seattle Arab Festival will also host several live performances including local dance groups, flutists, singers and musicians including Seattle's own Naseem Band.

For full details visit seattlearabfestival.com or their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/seattlearabfestival/

Newly added this year is the "Alaska Airlines Fly Away Giveaway." Guests who obtain a passport inside Seattle Center Armory or by downloading online can collect stamps by attending festivals to be entered to win round-trip air travel for two to the Alaska Airlines destination of their choice. Each stamp is an entry to win; the more Festál events attended and stamps collected, the higher the odds of winning! More information at seattlecenter.com/festal.

Seattle Center Festál highlights the culturally rich communities who shape the character of our region. Although the series began in 1997, the festivals took place earlier in their own ethnic communities. Now, Seattle Center serves as a central place, where festivals invite the public to join in their unique cultural expression. This year's theme, "Love, Peace and Understanding," is woven throughout 24 free, ethnic cultural festivals. In a time of divisive national rhetoric, Festál celebrates our shared humanity to build connections, tear down stereotypes and create trust.

Seattle Center Festál: Seattle Arab Festival is a public program presented by Seattle Center in partnership with the Seattle Arab Festival. Admission is free of charge. For more information on this festival, visit http://www.seattlearabfestival.com and to learn more about this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.