Photo provided by Mark McLaughlin and Tom John bake homemade kibbee for the 2024 Lebanese Festival in the kitchen of Our Lady of Lebanon Church.
WHEELING – Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church in Wheeling will host its 91st annual Lebanese Festival on Sunday, Aug. 11, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Site 1, Levenson Shelter, in Oglebay Park.
The Lebanese Festival is open to the public and features authentic Lebanese food, live music, inflatable attractions for children, and games and activities for the whole family.
The festival also includes a Maronite Catholic liturgy at 10 a.m. on the festival grounds. The mass will be celebrated in English and hymns will be sung in Arabic and Aramaic. Monsignor Bakhos Chidiac, pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Church, will lead the liturgy.
Visitors can enjoy Lebanese food including kibbee, grilled lamb shashlik, shawarma, stuffed grape leaves, tabbouleh, hummus, meat and spinach pies, zatar bread, and baklava and other Lebanese pastries. Lemonade, beer, Lebanese wine and other beverages are also available.
Food and drinks are sold à la carte while stocks last. Both cash and credit cards are accepted.
“The Lebanese Festival has been a popular celebration in the tri-state area for 91 years, and for good reason,” Susan John-Burns, marketing and public relations coordinator for the festival, said, “First of all, there will be amazing Lebanese food and pastries! You will also enjoy wonderful live Lebanese music and dancing and meet friends and neighbors, many of whom have traveled home to Wheeling especially for the festival. There will also be shopping in the marketplace and lots of fun activities and games for the kids. Most importantly, the Lebanese Festival is a tradition that reflects our deep-rooted faith and love of family and heritage.
“The Lebanese Festival is a reunion and an opportunity for family and friends to come together, reminisce and celebrate. Come join us!”
The David Hakim Ensemble from Cleveland will perform live Lebanese music. Dances will be performed by the Tiffani Ahdia Dance Troupe and the Our Lady of Lebanon Youth Dance Troupe.
The market place sells clothing, haberdashery, Lebanese spices, specialties and souvenirs, including souvenirs from Lebanon.
The Mahrajan – the Lebanese Festival – is the largest fundraiser of the year for the historic church, the only Maronite Catholic church in West Virginia. The first Mahrajan was organized in 1933 by faithful parishioners to raise money to rebuild the church after it was destroyed by fire in 1932.
“For 24 years, I have been amazed to feel the nostalgia in the hearts of the many who have traveled from all corners of the United States to attend the Mahrajan and reminisce about their childhood,” Monsignor Bakhos Chidiac, parish priest of the church, said:
Admission and parking are free. A free shuttle service from the parking lot to Site 1 is available from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Outdoor seating is subject to availability. The Lebanese Festival will take place whatever the weather.
“The Lebanese Festival is an incredible time,” Liz Murad, Chair of the Lebanese Festival, said: “The rich Lebanese culture exudes hospitality, friendliness and tradition. That is exactly what you will find at the festival. There will be something for all ages, including music, dancing, a children’s area with games and a marketplace for shopping. And most importantly, there will be delicious Lebanese food and pastries. Join us for a lovely day and a great time.”
For event schedules, menus and more details, visit lebanesefest.org, on Facebook at facebook.com/LebaneseFest or call 304-233-1688.
