Eid celebration in Logan steps up security as 7000 crowd expected

Food trucks, live performances, cultural showcases, and fireworks will headline Logan’s Eid for All festival on Saturday, where 7000 people are expected to celebrate community and unity.

A crowd of about 7000 is expected to watch the fireworks at the Kingston Butter Factory on Saturday night to mark the end of Ramadan. Picture: Logan City Council

Organisers behind one of the southeast’s largest festivals are expecting a record crowd of more than 7000 on Saturday to mark the end of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, despite concerns over ongoing global events such as the Palestinian-Israel conflict.

Security has been stepped up for the event, Eid For All, which will kick off at Logan’s Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct at 3pm and end in fireworks at 8pm.

Event spokesperson Dr Zakaria Amin predicted 7000 attendees this year after last year’s inaugural event attracted about 5000.

Dr Amin said extra security had been hired to help manage logistics such as easy carparking and to provide “an extra set of eyes just in case” to ensure the event runs smoothly.

There will be plenty of food trucks and entertainment for the whole family on Saturday at Kingston Butter Factory on Jacaranda Ave. Picture: Contributed

“Eid for All is not only a celebration of the values that Ramadan has instilled in us, it is a timely reminder to uphold harmony and compassion, especially in times of global turmoil,” Dr Amin said.

“Unfortunately, recent global events, and the suffering overseas, have cast shadows over the joy of Eid, and there were some within our community who thought we should not proceed with the festival this year.

“Stress levels and emotions in the community are running very high but the organising committee believed we needed to forge ahead to continue cultivating inclusivity and respect – and it is very encouraging we are expecting a record attendance.”

Families can sit on the grass to enjoy the fun.

Organiser Travis Windsor said apart from being one of Logan’s major festivals Eid for All served as a platform for uniting diverse Muslim communities with other groups across the state.

“The overarching goal of Eid for All is to advocate for cohesion, acceptance, and understanding of cultural diversity throughout the broader Australian community,” Mr Windsor said.

“We’re hoping it will be an uplifting experience for everyone who comes along.”

The festival will include food trucks, vendors and performers from different cultures but with an added Aussie flavour of a large fireworks display to finish off the day.

NOTE: The five-hour festival, to be held in Jacaranda Ave, will begin at 3pm and finish with a fireworks display at 8pm on Saturday, April 26

■ The five-hour festival, to be held at Kingston Butter factory precinct, 270 Jacaranda Ave, will begin at 3pm and finish with a fireworks display at 8pm on Saturday, April 26.

Originally published as Eid celebration in Logan steps up security as 7000 crowd expected