Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church of Wheeling will host its 89th annual Lebanese Festival from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday at Site 1 — Levenson Shelter in Oglebay Park.
The Lebanese Festival is open to the public and offers authentic Lebanese food, live music, inflatable amusements for children and games and activities for the entire family.
The festival includes a Maronite Catholic liturgy at 10 a.m. on the festival grounds. Mass is celebrated in English and hymns are chanted in Arabic and Aramaic. Monsignor Bakhos Chidiac, pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Church, will preside over the liturgy.
Visitors will enjoy Lebanese food featuring kibbee, grilled lamb shish kabob, shawarma, stuffed grape leaves, tabouli, hummus, meat and spinach pies, as well as baklava and other Lebanese pastries.
Soft drinks, beer and other beverages also will be available. Food and beverages will be sold a la carte, while supplies last. Both cash and credit cards will be accepted.
Live Lebanese music will be performed by the David Hakim Ensemble from Cleveland, Ohio.
Clothing, dance costumes, dry goods, Lebanese spices, specialty items and souvenirs will be sold at the Church Marketplace. A jewelry vendor also will be on site.
The Mahrajan — Lebanese Festival is the largest fundraiser of the year for the historic church, which is West Virginia’s only Maronite Catholic Church. The first Mahrajan was organized by devoted parishioners in 1933 to raise funds to rebuild the church after it was destroyed by a fire in 1932.
There is no charge for admission or parking. Free shuttle service will be available from the parking lot to Site 1 from noon–5 p.m.
Open-air seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Lebanese Festival is held rain or shine.
For event schedules, food menu and additional details, visit lebanesefest.org and facebook.com/LebaneseFest or call 304-233-1688.
