Camels in Fresno? That's Not Bizarre — it's (the Islamic Center) Bazaar!
gvw_nancy_price
By Nancy Price, Multimedia Journalist
Published 4 years ago on
October 28, 2019

Share

If you’ve ever hankered to visit an Iranian teahouse but lack the funds to travel to Tehran, you may be in luck.
The seventh annual Bazaar & Cultural Fair hosted by the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno will include an Old Iranian-style Tea House, where guests can nibble on goodies and sip tea, said the center’s executive director, Reza Nekumanesh. The Islamic Center is at 2111 E. Nees Ave. in Fresno.


Listen to this article:
 


Reza Nekumanesh
Many activities at the family-friendly bazaar and fair, which will be held from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, will be aimed at kids, Nekumanesh said. There will be bounce houses, games, a clown, petting zoo, face painting, a photo booth with Middle Eastern backdrop, pony rides, and even camel rides.
“The goal is to have a great event open to the entire community that they can walk away from saying, ‘I really had a fun time at the Islamic Center!’ “Reza Nekumanesh, ICCF executive director
Nekumanesh mentioned on Friday during a panel discussion at Fresno Pacific University that his wife thinks offering camel rides at the bazaar is a bit stereotypical “because we don’t actually ride camels (today). But back in the day, we did!”

Camels Are Costly To Rent

But don’t dawdle — camels are expensive, and the Islamic Center could only afford to rent them for three hours starting at 2 p.m., he said.
About 30 vendors will be on hand to sell crafts and other goods as well as food — hamburgers, Arabic/Armenian fare, and Indian/Pakistani fare. Meanwhile, the Islamic Center will be barbecuing chicken, he said.
In prior years, about 700 people from the Fresno and Clovis area have turned out for the event, and Nekumanesh said he hopes for more visitors this year. The bazaar and fair will be held outdoors, but visitors are welcome to take a look inside the Islamic Center.
Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids under 5. The funds help underwrite the event but don’t cover the costs, Nekumanesh said.
“The goal is to have a great event open to the entire community that they can walk away from saying, ‘I really had a fun time at the Islamic Center!’ ” he said.

DON'T MISS

FresYes Fest Is Saturday: This Immigrant Is Living the American Dream With Xtreme Shawarma

DON'T MISS

Will FUSD Trustees Look First Only at Internal Candidates in Superintendent Search?

DON'T MISS

Bredefeld, Chavez Win Attorneys Fees from Fresno County. Court Gives Chavez Blvd. a Green Light.

DON'T MISS

Special Congressional Election Tuesday. How Many Have Voted Already?

DON'T MISS

Brothers Say They Found Amelia Earhart’s Plane, Will Donate It to Smithsonian

DON'T MISS

These Fresno Eclipse Chasers Are Hoping For 4 Minutes of Darkened Bliss in Texas

DON'T MISS

Hutson Is Done as Fresno State Basketball Coach After Tournament Loss

DON'T MISS

New Challenge to SW Fresno Industrial Project: SoCal Enviro Group Sues City, Developer

DON'T MISS

Realtor Association Settles Lawsuit on Commission Rules. Fresno Broker Fears the End of Market Transparency

DON'T MISS

Fresno’s Eric Kendricks Joins Cowboys After First Committing to Niners

No data was found
Nancy Price,
Multimedia Journalist
Nancy Price is a multimedia journalist for GV Wire. A longtime reporter and editor who has worked for newspapers in California, Florida, Alaska, Illinois and Kansas, Nancy joined GV Wire in July 2019. She previously worked as an assistant metro editor for 13 years at The Fresno Bee. Nancy earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her hobbies include singing with the Fresno Master Chorale and volunteering with Fresno Filmworks. You can reach Nancy at 559-492-4087 or Send an Email

The 49ers Have Been Docked a 2025 Fifth-Round Draft Pick for an Accounting Error

8 hours ago

Fresno Bank Sued. It Allegedly Helped Bitwise Commit Fraud.

Bitwise /

8 hours ago

How California’s Prized Solution for Methane Gas Is Backfiring on Farmers

Environment /

11 hours ago

Supreme Court Seems Favorable to Biden Administration Over Efforts to Combat Social Media Posts

12 hours ago

Putin Extends Rule in Preordained Russian Election After Harshest Crackdown Since Soviet Era

12 hours ago

Ohtani to Begin Throwing Program Soon. Roberts Hints Dodgers Star Might Play in the Field

12 hours ago

Trump: Some Migrants Are ‘Not People’, There’ll Be a ‘Bloodbath’ if I Lose

12 hours ago

Tech Lawyer and Philanthropist Nicole Shanahan Rumored as RFK Jr.’s VP Pick

News /

12 hours ago

March Madness is Here. UConn, Purdue, Houston and North Carolina Get Top Seeding in NCAA Tournament

13 hours ago

Crafts Retailer Joann Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy as Consumers Cut Back on Pandemic-Era Hobbies

13 hours ago

Records Show That Valley Children’s Leader Suntrapak’s Pay Exceeds $5 Million

■Valley Children’s paid CEO Todd Suntrapak $5.2 million in 2021. The hospital also gave him a $5 million forgivable home loan. ■The Va...
Healthcare /

7 hours ago

3 days ago

Realtor Association Settles Lawsuit on Commission Rules. Fresno Broker Fears the End of Market Transparency

3 days ago

Prosecutor Leaves Georgia Election Case Against Trump After Relationship With District Attorney

4 days ago

Rory McIlroy’s 65: 10 Birdies, 2 Tee Shots in the Water, 1 Testy Dispute

4 days ago

Aaron Donald Announces His Retirement After a Standout 10-Year Career With the Rams

4 days ago

New Book Explores the Myths, Truths and Legacy of the Macho Man

4 days ago

Baseball Superstar Ohtani and His Wife Arrive in South Korea for Dodgers-Padres MLB Opener

4 days ago

India’s New Citizenship Law Excludes Muslims. Here’s What to Know

4 days ago

US, G-7 Allies Warn Iran to Back Off Deal to Provide Russia Ballistic Missiles or Face New Sanctions

Photo of San Francisco 49ers' Arik Armstead

4 days ago

Former 49ers DT Arik Armstead Agrees to a 3-Year, $51 Million Deal with the Jaguars, AP Source Says

4 days ago

Supreme Court Rules Public Officials Can Sometimes Be Sued for Blocking Critics on Social Media

Search