Immerse yourself in the culture that started it all at the fourth annual Assyrian Festival with authentic foods, historical exhibits, live entertainment and a kids zone on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Assyrian Festival entry fee is only $1 and comes with free parking. The festival will start with a parade on Saturday, Sept. 15 with city officials and mayors from various cities in attendance. The festival is hosted by the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, Diocese of California.

“The festival has been a success the last couple of years in educating the public about the Assyrian community,” said His Grace Mar Awa Royel Bishop of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East, Diocese of California. “We wanted to open this festival to the community so that all of our neighbors, irrespective of ethnicity, can experience our culture, our foods, and our history.”

Last year, the Assyrian Festival featured an exhibit that showcased the inventions of the Assyrian people and how the Assyrians invented irrigation system as well as agriculture. Along with the inventions the exhibit also showcased the timeline of the history of the Assyrian Church of the East, and other cultural artifacts that educated the community about the Assyrian people.

“This year our exhibit will feature a history of the Assyrian monarchs,” said Alex Pauls, Assyrian Festival Coordinator.

The Assyrian Festival in the Central Valley is a cultural educational festival that features authentic foods from the Assyrian community. All the food at the Assyrian Festival will be homemade by local Assyrians, using family recipes that have been used for generations, meaning guests will have an authentic experience.

The 2018 Assyrian Festival will feature a spectacular children’s area, which will include games and educational projects for kids. Also planned for 2018 is live entertainment that will feature local Assyrian dance groups.