WHEELING — Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church of Wheeling will host its 85th annual Lebanese Fest, called a Mahrajan, from noon-
8 p.m. Saturday and noon-7 p.m. Sunday, at Levenson Shelter in Oglebay Park.
The Lebanese Fest is open to the public and offers two days of authentic Lebanese food, live music and dance performances, inflatable amusements for children and games and activities for the entire family.
There is no charge for parking or admission. Free, open-air seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The festival is held rain or shine.
Visitors will dine on kibbee, lamb shish kabob, shawarma, stuffed grape leaves, tabouli, hummus, meat and spinach pies, as well as baklava and other Lebanese pastries, beer and other beverages. Food and beverages will be sold a la carte both days, while supplies last. Cash and credit cards will be accepted.
The David Hakim Ensemble from Cleveland will perform live music and lead visitors in the “Dabke” — a traditional folk dance led by a drummer — and perform for Troupe Bint il Nahar, a dance troupe, led by internationally award-winning and professional belly dancer Tiffani Ahdia of Huntington. Young adults and youth dance groups from Our Lady of Lebanon Church will round off the entertainment line-up this year.
Sunday’s festivities include a Maronite Catholic Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. on the festival grounds. Continuing the traditional Maronite Rite, parts of the mass will be recited in Aramaic. Monsignor Bakhos Chidiac, pastor of Our Lady of Lebanon Church, will preside over the Liturgy.
Vendors will be on site with games, souvenirs and specialty gifts.
The Lebanese Fest (Mahrajan) is the largest fundraiser for Our Lady of Lebanon Church, which is West Virginia’s only Maronite Catholic Church. The first Mahrajan was held in 1933 to raise funds to rebuild the church after it was destroyed by a fire in 1932.
The event schedule and additional details are available at lebanesefest.org or by calling 304-233-1688.
