EASTON, Pa. — Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church will celebrate the rich history and culture of the Lebanese community in Easton this weekend.
The church will play host to its 47th annual Lebanese Heritage Festival from 5 p.m. through midnight Saturday, Aug. 5, and from 11 a.m. through 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, featuring Lebanese cuisine, music and dance.
- Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church will celebrate the 47th annual Lebanese Heritage Festival this weekend
- Ethnic dance performances and music will be featured, alongside a traditional church services
- Food from the familiar hummus and tabbouli to the more exotic kibbeh will be available as well
Thousands of people come to the event each year at South Fourth and Ferry streets, which features a Maronite Catholic Mass celebrated by Rev. Youssef Keikati before the festival days – 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday – with all members of the community welcomed to attend.
"This is the essence of community and because of that, we're able to share that even beyond the greater Lehigh Valley community, because we get visitors from Australia, Lebanon — all over the place — coming for this occasion.”Deacon Anthony Koury at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church
According to Deacon Anthony Koury, the event is a celebration of both religious and cultural heritage.
“It's about bringing people together,” Koury said, gesturing to a church hall with tables of people preparing food. “You see, behind you, the number of men and women who are doing prep work for food, and there’s still more to come tonight. Young men will be out putting up tents; we have young women rolling cabbage and grape leaves.
"This is the essence of community and because of that, we're able to share that even beyond the greater Lehigh Valley community, because we get visitors from Australia, Lebanon — all over the place — coming for this occasion.”
Church officials say the highlight of the weekend will be the performances featuring ethnic dance troupes, from “2- or 3-year-olds who shake a little bit” to groups who have been practicing their craft for years on end, all to preserve the culture, Koury said.
The event will also feature performances by the Amin Sultan Ensemble on Saturday evening and Kalem Issa on Sunday evening. There will be children’s games and activities, souvenir shopping and a raffle with a grand prize of $10,000.
Food is an integral part of the festival and Lebanese culture. The hummus, tabbouli, shish kabobs, and chicken with garlic sauce all come highly recommended by Nehme Nehme, “one of the many soldiers” of the church who work the festival.
But if you really want to try something authentic, dig into some baked or raw kibbeh – a dish made with top-round beef, spices, and vegetables – which is a staple Lebanese food, Nehme said.
Tasty pastries are available to round out meals, which should be enjoyed with friends old and new – after all, that’s the core of the Lebanese culture, Nehme said.
“It's all about food,” Nehme said. “Everything we do is about food, whether it's home or here or wherever. It's all about food, whether it's family or friends or acquaintances. Everything is done around food.”
