St. Ekias Lebanese Festival

The 18th annual Lebanese Festival will be held June 3-5 at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 4730 Cove Road, N.W., Roanoke, and everyone is invited.

By now a Roanoke Valley tradition, the popular festival features delicious Lebanese food, including new items this year, along with live Lebanese music by a professional musician and traditional Lebanese folk dances in full costume.

As it has for the past 10 years, WDBJ7 will again sponsor the festival, which will be held rain or shine. Hours are Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday. Admission and parking are free; there is a moderate charge for food and children’s activities.

Menu offerings include grilled lamb and beef kabobs, tabbouleh salad, hummus, kafta (spiced ground beef), spinach-feta rollups, and a selection of desserts, including baklaweh and cheesecake. New this year (in limited quantities) are an eggplant-ground sirloin casserole and a feta cheese pie.

There will be takeout available for food orders (forms on the website) and select items will also be available frozen in bulk as “Frozen to Go” food to take home.

Children will enjoy a Moon Bounce, face painting, and an obstacle course, among other activities. The festival features a Silent Auction with items from local businesses, gift baskets and restaurant gift certificates. Samer Jazrawy, a parishioner from Iraq who is a professional musician, will provide the toe-tapping Lebanese music that gets folks up and dancing.

Tours of the church will cover the rich history of Maronite Catholicism, one of the oldest churches within Christianity and include a display of stained glass windows and icons. “A Taste of Lebanon” area will display unusual musical instruments, colorful rugs, a hookah and other items.