Presented in partnership with charity organisation Droplets of Mercy, the free-admission festival ran from 1pm to 11pm and featured more than 180 vendors, family activities, cultural performances, food stalls, shopping outlets and community programmes.
Organisers described the event as a powerful demonstration of community support, with families, businesses, organisations and supporters coming together for the annual gathering.
They said the strong turnout reflected years of efforts to build trust, create opportunities and place community interests at the centre of the festival.
Festival organisers expressed gratitude to attendees, vendors, sponsors and volunteers, saying the overwhelming participation had provided fresh motivation to expand the event in the future.
The festival grounds featured restaurants, food trucks and specialty vendors offering a wide range of halal cuisines, alongside clothing stalls, retail booths and community giveaways.
Families and children were also drawn to the Fun Zone by Rahat, which featured bouncy houses, an interactive obstacle course, slides, gaming stations, popcorn, cotton candy and a bubble machine area.
The programme began following the opening of the festival and community Dhuhr prayer, followed by acknowledgments of corporate sponsors and a performance by Nasheed artist Ammar Charaf.
Car enthusiasts attended the Exotic Car Show, while food lovers took part in competitive eating events, including the ATL Wings Eating Contest and the Texs Chicken & Burger Contest.
Following Maghrib prayer and a charitable appeal by Droplets of Mercy, organisers announced major giveaways and recognised corporate sponsors supporting the festival.
The evening culminated in a live performance by renowned Qawwali artist Ali Raza Santoo, who entertained the large audience with traditional Qawwali music.
Organisers credited community partners, media organisations and sponsors for helping make the festival possible. Sponsors and supporters included Obsession Banquet Hall, Guidance Residential, Wing Spot, Apna Bazar Farmers Market, Shah’s Halal Food and several other businesses and organisations.
The 15th annual festival once again highlighted the growing role of halal food, cultural events and community gatherings in bringing families and businesses together across the New York metropolitan area.