The 21st annual Lebanese Festival is more than a community-wide event and a way for our church to say thank you: Our home is your home (Beitna Beitkom). We are returning to our original hours of Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. The festival will be held May 31 – June 2 at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church, 4730 Cove Road, in NW, Roanoke.

The popular festival, a Roanoke Valley tradition, features delicious Lebanese food, live Lebanese music and traditional Lebanese folk dancers in full costume. Admission and parking are free. Visitors may purchase a great variety of home-style cooked Lebanese food and children can participate in activities for an affordable fee.

Menu offerings include meat pies, vegetarian and meat grape leaves, spinach pies, spinach-feta rolls, falafel, grilled lamb, beef and chicken kabobs, Lebanese cheesecake, various desserts, baklava, other Lebanese pastries and much more!

Takeout will be available throughout the day and evenings for food orders. Orders may be placed online or by using forms on the website.

Activities this year will include “Dabke” (Lebanese line dance) instruction. Children will enjoy an inflatable bouncy house and other games. The Samer Jazrawy Band is traveling all the way from Michigan, and they 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 rites within Catholic Christianity, including a display of stained glass windows and icons. “A Taste of Lebanon” area will display unusual musical instruments, colorful rugs, a hookah and other ethnic items. All are welcome.

For more information, visit the website: www.LebaneseFestival.StEliasChurch.org or contact St. Elias Church at 540-562-0012.