Lebanese Festival - June 3-June 5

I have to say, I had not heard about the Lebanese Festival until last year. That being said, it is advertised with signs all over town. Now that my children have decided festivals are the best option for fun out there, I keep looking to see when the next one will be (and it seems during the spring and summer months one happens every week). So I called up a friend and said, let's check it out. When we got there, the kids area was just getting exciting. My oldest loved the blow up obstacle course and bounce house. They had face painters, but the face painters were getting ready to dance and didn't come back until almost 8pm. My children missed out on that fun only because it was getting late (as I said 8pm) and you could tell their sunny disposition was wearing off.

I was so excited when I drove in and was handed a menu and schedule of events. On the menu were Cabbage Rolls. These were not anything like the Slovakian Cabbage Rolls that I am used to. However, they were quite tasty and not all that expensive. I also got a Fatayer (meat pie) which my oldest thought was fabulous. I enjoyed it as well, but it is hard to do when you are sharing with a child that loves food because you are eating it. I didn't get to try Zalabee, which is a Lebanese funnel cake. That was very sad, but it also just means that we will have to go back before this is over.

After we got dinner, we enjoyed watching the traditional Lebanese dances. It was beautiful to watch. The boys enjoyed the music as well. It was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy good company and learn about another culture that I wasn't so familiar with. If you have the time, I would high suggest you check this out!

Directions From Downtown Roanoke: Take Interstate 581 N / US 220 N to exit 3W for Hershberger Rd West Continue on Hershberger Rd (west) for 0.7 miles. Make a right onto Cove Rd. NW and go 1.3 miles to the Church on the left. From Salem: Take E. Main St and continue on Melrose Ave to Peters Creek Rd. About 2.6 miles. Turn left onto Peter Creek Rd and go 1.3 miles. Make a right onto Cove Rd. NW and go 0.1 miles to the Church on the right. DON'T MISS THE 13TH ANNUAL LEBANESE FESTIVAL! EVERYTHING YOU LOVED BEFORE AND MORE! St. Elias Catholic Church, 4730 Cove Road, Roanoke Dates and Times of The Festival: Friday, June 3 - 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Food served till 9 p.m. Saturday, June 4 - 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. - Food served till 9 p.m. Sunday, June 5 - 11:00 a.m. - 7 p.m. - Food served until closing Lebanese Traditional dance schedule held at 2:00pm and 5:00pm Menu items Spinach & Feta Cheese Rollup...............................................................$3.00 Spinach Rollup (1)..................................................................................$3.00 Hummus Bi Tahini...................................................................................$3.50 Tabouleh................................................................................................$3.75 Yogurt & Cucumber Salad......................................................................$2.50 Grilled Chicken with Rice and Pita Bread................................................$5.75 Beef Shisih-Kabob with Rice...................................................................$8.00 Lamb Shish-Kabob with Rice..................................................................$8.00 Kibbi (ground sirloin)..............................................................................$4.00 Kaftka....................................................................................................$6.50 Green Been and Rice (lubee).................................................................$3.50 Lebanese Meat Pie................................................................................$3.50 Grape Leave rolls (per 3).......................................................................$2.50 Falafel....................................................................................................$6.00 Zalabee (Lebanese Funnel cake)...........................................................$2.00 Lebanese Cheesecake (per slice)..........................................................$3.00 Baklawa.................................................................................................$1.50 Lebanese Assorted Cookie tray..............................................................TBD