What do artists, musicians, performers, Beirut’s finest melting-pot and a twelve-year build-up make? A big, fat, no-holds-barred party, that’s what. Ellen Hardy lifts the lid on the box of tricks that is the reincarnated Hamra Festival.

We heart Hamra, Hamra heart Lebanon
Welcome to the Hamra Street Commercial Association’s rejuvenation of a once-traditional three-day festival in celebration of all that Hamra stands for. It was last held in 1998, but the big picture remains. ‘Hamra is what Lebanon should be’, says co-organiser Najwa Baroody. ‘I see what I want in it of Lebanon’. A flamboyantly mixed, creatively and commercially buzzing area that has suffered and rejuvenated as much as anywhere in the country over the years, Hamra is truly a ‘maraya’ [mirror] of contemporary Lebanon. And what is sure and certain is that Lebanon loves to party. Welcome.

All together now...
What’s Hamra without its music scene? As diverse and challenging and unstoppable as the people who make it happen, this is sure to be a huge highlight of the festival. For the first time ever, two stages will be set up on the street, one next to Starbucks and the other facing Chopsticks, to cater for all those lovely big-name music acts, from all genres under the sun with bands such as the The Arcane, Belime's debut album launch, The Incompetents, Who Killed Bruce Lee, Rasta Beirut, Amadeus Awad, Zeid & The Wings,  FareeQ el Atrash and much more. Oooh.

Comps for all!
It’s up to you to make the festival into whatever you want it to be. Go a little crazy with your ideas to win categories for the best jingle, best logo, best painting of Hamra, best series of five photos and most creative fancy dress parade group. For details, deadlines and other nitty-gritty bits and pieces, see the contacts bubble on the facing page. Prizes? Oh, just return tickets to Rome or Paris, courtesy of MEA...

Made in Lebanon, made with love
Take a step back to admire the market stalls crowding the length of the street: Faux bijous, handmade crafts, antiques, clothing, knickknacks, household linen, homemade foods... The Red Cross and assorted NGOs will also have booths to showcase their good works, and be on hand just in case.

Anything you can do... no, wait. Not that
Fireworks! Jugglers! Stilt-walkers! Fire-eaters! Human statues! For those of you who like to stand around for hours on end gawping at people being Really Good at Not Moving, this selection of street performance artists might just prove to be a sensory overload. The rest of us will be merely properly impressed by the selection of pyromaniac and logic-defying entertainment, coming with our ‘Oohs’ and ‘Aahs’ well-polished.

Little angels?
There’s something here for everyone, including the next generation. Tranquil or terrible, the tots will be well occupied and in safe hands in the kids’ arena. Entertainment and games will be provided, including marionette puppets and storytelling, ensuring that they are kept captivated while Mum and Dad check out the beer tent.

Here come the parades!
Hamra street and its surrounds will be pedestrianised for the duration of the festival – good thing too when this lot get going. First up on the opening night parade we have the Harley Davidson Owner’s Group, all buffed leather and shiny pipes. They’ll be followed by carnival floats, orchestras, dancers, donkeys, vegetable chariots and pretty much anyone who can party. Yes, that means you.

Eat out after dark
Whether there’s a festival on or not, Hamra is host to 200 shops, 50 restaurants and cafés and 8 hotels. They’ll be running promotional deals across the evenings, so don’t drift away when the fireworks die down – book a table and drink it all in.

Visit www.discoverhamra.com, email hamrafestival@hotmail.com or click here to check the Facebook page for more information and competition guidelines. (03 617112, 70 502370). Fri 10, 5pm-8pm; Sat 11, 10am-12pm; Sun 12, 10am-12pm.