33rd Annual Middle Eastern Food Festival Returns To McLean Labor Day Weekend

MCLEAN, VA — Labor Day weekend will bring the return of one of McLean's longest-running cultural events as Holy Transfiguration Melkite Greek-Catholic Church hosts its 33rd Annual Middle Eastern Food Festival.

The two-day festival is scheduled for Sept. 5-6 at the church, 8501 Lewinsville Road, and will feature a menu of traditional Middle Eastern dishes, live entertainment and family-friendly activities. Admission and parking are free.

Traditional Middle Eastern Dishes Featured

Festivalgoers will be able to choose from a wide variety of Middle Eastern specialties, including grilled shish kebob, oven-baked kibbeh, slow-roasted lamb, falafel, stuffed grape leaves, shawarma, mnazeleh, tabouleh and hummus.

The dessert menu will include pastries such as baklawa, maamoul and ghraybeh, along with two specialty desserts: atayef, a pancake-style pastry filled with pistachios and topped with rose-water syrup, and knafeh, a warm cheese pastry soaked in syrup and finished with pistachios.

Organizers also plan to offer online food ordering through the festival's website.

Music, Dancing And Family Activities

In addition to the food, the festival will feature live Arabic music and dancing throughout the weekend. Visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the Dabke, a traditional Middle Eastern folk line dance.

A highlight of the weekend will be the "Hafli," an outdoor Arabic celebration with live music beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

Family activities will include moon bounces, a giant slide, face painting, a petting zoo and games. The event will also feature vendor booths, church tours and a silent auction.

The festival will be held rain or shine. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, and 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6.

Additional information, menus and online ordering are available at MiddleEasternFoodFestival.com.