Dearborn is hosting food trucks and games for Ramadan in the city’s west downtown

The City of Dearborn and the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority are teaming up to host Ramadan festivities this year. The holy month commenced at sundown yesterday which means, starting today, Muslims observing the holiday are fasting daily beginning at sunrise and breaking their fast each night after sundown, often with family, friends and community members.

Throughout the holy month, the City of Dearborn is hosting “Ramadan Nights” on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Events will start tonight and end Friday, April 21. Food trucks, family-friendly games and informational tents will be open from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. along West Village Drive between Mason and Monroe Streets.

Listen: Dearborn Economic Development Director Jordan Twardy on “Ramadan Nights”

“We saw the Holy Month of Ramadan as a really great catalytic opportunity to not only celebrate a holiday that’s important to our community, but also to celebrate our downtown and getting out and enjoying it,” says Jordan Twardy, the economic development director for the City of Dearborn.

In selecting food trucks for the event, Twardy says organizers prioritized local businesses. Participating trucks include Mr. Bowls, El Sayed Meats on the Go, Bakri Coffee Roasters and more.

But, Twardy says, Ramadan Nights isn’t just about food. It’s also about showing off the city’s assets and bringing people together. The City of Dearborn recently announced that as part of its Park Equity and Access for Civil Engagement (PEACE) project, it’s spending $30 million to improve and expand public parks.

“A big part of that is getting people to mingle across the city, east to west, west to east, north to south and vice versa. That is something we are really pushing as a whole team and as an administration, and this is just an outcropping of that,” says Twardy.

More information can be found on their website.