Photo Provided Mark McLaughlin and Tom John bake homemade kibbee at the Our Lady of Lebanon Church kitchen for the 2024 Lebanese Festival.

WHEELING — Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church of Wheeling will host its 91st annual Lebanese Festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11, 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, zaatar bread, as well as baklava and other Lebanese pastries. Soda, beer, Lebanese wine 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.

“The Lebanese Festival has been a treasured celebration in the tri-state area for 91 years, and there’s a reason for that,” Susan John-Burns, marketing and public relations coordinator for the festival, said. “First of all, fantastic Lebanese food and pastries! You will also enjoy beautiful live Lebanese music, dancing and visit with friends and neighbors, many who traveled back home to Wheeling especially for the festival. There will also be shopping at the Market Place and lots of fun activities and games for the kids. Most importantly, the Lebanese Festival is a tradition that reflects our deeply rooted faith and our love of family and heritage.

“The Lebanese Festival is a reunion and a time for family and friends to gather, reminisce and celebrate. Please join us!”

Live Lebanese music will be performed by the David Hakim Ensemble from Cleveland. Dancing will be performed by the Tiffani Ahdia Dance Troupe and the Our Lady of Lebanon Youth Dance Troupe.

Clothing, dry goods, Lebanese spices, specialty items and souvenirs, including souvenirs from Lebanon, will be sold at the Market Place.

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.

“For the last 24 years, I am amazed to feel the nostalgia in the hearts of many who traveled from the four corners of the United States to attend the Mahrajan in order to reminisce on their childhood memories,” Monsignor Bakhos Chidiac, pastor of the church, said.

There is no charge for admission or parking. Free shuttle service will be available from the parking lot to Site 1 from noon to 5 p.m.

Open-air seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Lebanese Festival is held rain or shine.

“The Lebanese Festival is an amazing time,” Liz Murad, Lebanese Festival chairperson, said. “The rich Lebanese culture exudes hospitality, kindness 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 Market Place for shopping. Most importantly, the delicious Lebanese food and pastries will be available. Please join us for a beautiful day and a fabulous time.”

For event schedules, food menu and additional details, visit lebanesefest.org, on Facebook at facebook.com/LebaneseFest or call 304-233-1688.