The weekend dozens of volunteers have been working toward for months is this weekend at the 25th Annual Lebanese Festival.
Among the volunteers are a number of Salem residents, including Dawn and Sam Silek, and Salem Mayor Renee Turk and husband David.
Such favorites as stuffed grape leaves, hummus and pita bread baklava, and even Lebanese beer and wine will be available at the three-day event, which starts Friday, May 29, at 11 a.m. and runs through Sunday, May 31, at 8 p.m. in Roanoke, said Salem resident Renee Turk.
It will be held at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 4730 Cove Rd. NW. In addition to traditional Lebanese food, there will be music and dancing by Lebanese youth who invite members of the public to join in.
Foods include: Meat pies and spinach pies, grape leave, limited quantities of cabbage rolls, spinach-feta rolls, falafel wraps, beef kafta wraps, chicken shawarma wraps, grilled lamb and beef kabobs, Lebanese green beans (Lubee), tabbouleh, yogurt and cucumber salad, baked kibbee, hummus and pita bread.
There will also be Lebanese cheesecake and an array of traditional Lebanese pastries including baklava.
Dining is available outside under festival tents, inside the banquet hall or for takeout. Online ordering can be done on Friday and Saturday only.
Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with food service stopping at 8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with food service stopping at 7 p.m.
Admission and parking are free. For more information, go to lebanesefestival.steliaschurch.org or call 540-562-0012.
