Our Lady of Lebanon's festival allows participants to immerse themselves in Mid-Eastern culture

Michigan is home to one of the largest concentrations of Arab Americans in the nation, giving our region the opportunity to form a unique relationship with Middle Eastern cultures.

One of the best places to learn more about Flint and Genesee County’s Lebanese citizens and their culture will be at the 12^th annual Our Lady of Lebanon Mid-East Festival July 19-21.

Middle Eastern music is often characterized by complex rhythmic patterns. Stringed instruments (like the oud) are often at the center of traditional pieces. Photo courtesy of Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church

The event will be held at Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church at 4133 Calkins Rd. in Flint. Festival hours are: Friday: 11:30 a.m. – midnight; Saturday: Noon – midnight; and Sunday: Noon – 6:00 p.m.

*Belly dancing demonstrations are one of the highlights of the festival. Photo courtesy of Photo courtesy of Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church/Steven Carpenter Photography*

There will be belly dancing and Dabke (a Lebanese folk dance) performances on Friday and Saturday, with belly-dancing lessons on all three days of the festival.

Live music will be performed throughout the event, with live musicians on Friday and Saturday and fireworks on both days.

And, of course, there will be native foods to purchase so you can have a taste of Lebanese cuisine.

The menu will include: falafel, chicken and beef Shawarma, beef, lamb, and chicken Kabobs, hummus, baked meat pies, baked spinach pies, tabouli, zaatar bread, stuffed grape leaves, kibbee balls and baklava fingers.

As always, event organizers promise the return of their popular raffle, with a chance to win $2,500, $1,000, $750, $500, or $250.

There will be lots for kids to enjoy too. Some highlights include the 18′ high slide, a bungee run, and an obstacle course challenge.

Don’t miss the water walking demonstration. It’s a popular event that draws crowds.

Everyone will enjoy the sumo wrestling and belly dancing demonstrations, as well as the jousting match, mechanical bull and football target challenges.

Other activities include a bunny bounce house, princess bounce house.

*The belly dancing demonstrations are a popular feature of the festival and audience members, regardless age, are encouraged to give it a try. Photo courtesy of Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church*

The games run Friday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Saturday 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m., and Sunday 1:00 p.m.– 6:00 p.m.

Wristbands are available for purchase from open until 8:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and until 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. They will be valid from the time of purchase until the end of the day.

A mass will be held on Friday at 9:00 a.m., and there are church tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

All of this will start with an opening ceremony that will include both the U.S. and Lebanese national anthems.

Editor’s note: The festival will take place at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church located at 4133 Calkins Road in Flint Township (48532). For more information, call the church at 810.732.2370 or visit mideastfestival.com/.

Our Lady of Lebanon’s festival allows participants to immerse themselves in Mid-Eastern culture added by M Lapham on 06/17/2019
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