Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek-Catholic Church will host its 31st annual Middle Eastern Food Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 31-Sept. 1, at the church, 8501 Lewinsville Road in McLean.
The festival will feature authentic Middle Eastern food, pastries, music and dancing, as well as vendors, church tours, and activities for both children and adults.
“Smell the aromas from the outdoor grills, partake of kibbeh, chicken shish kabob, roast lamb, falafel, hummus, stuffed grape leaves and tabouleh, or any number of other delicious menu choices,” organizers said.
“Be sure to save room for dessert and coffee,” they added. “Some of the mouth-watering Arabic pastries include baklawa, maamoul, namoura and ghraybeh. There also is Atayef, a pancake-like dessert stuffed with a delicious pistachio mixture and rose-water simple syrup.”
Special events for children will include a moon bounce, 18-foot slide, face painting and petting zoo, as well as participation in some of the many games going on throughout the festival.
A highlight of the event is the Saturday night “hafli” (“party” in Arabic) beginning at 7 p.m. that will feature live music and dancing. Attendees can learn to dance the “dabke,” a traditional folk line dance.
The festival will be held rain or shine. Admission and parking are free. For information, see the Website at www.MiddleEasternFoodFestival.com.
Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek-Catholic Church is the local parish of the Melkite Eparchy of Newton (Mass.). “Melkite” is used to refer to those Catholics whose ancestry is Middle Eastern and who follow the Byzantine tradition in worship, theology and spirituality.
