Associated Press – June 27, 2009 9:14 AM ET

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis is celebrating Somali Independence Day.

July 1 is the 49th anniversary of the day in 1960 when Somalia achieved independence from Italy. The Somali holiday will be marked Saturday at Midtown Global Market’s Safari Express restaurant, which will hold cooking demonstrations, historical presentations, live traditional music and a fashion show.

Minnesota has the largest population of Somali immigrants in the United States, with nearly 35,000 Somali residents. Midtown Global Market is located at the corner of Lake Street and Chicago Avenue in south Minneapolis. The event is free and open to the public.