After 2-year hiatus, Lebanese Food Festival returns to Glen Allen May 13-15

After two years of cancellations because of COVID-19, the Lebanese Food Festival will return for its 37th edition May 13-15 at Saint Anthony Church in Glen Allen.

Along with food that is prepared according to recipes that have been passed down for generations, attendees can expect traditional Middle East Lebanese music and performances from five Lebanese dance troupes, according to festival supervisor and volunteer Sandra Joseph Brown.

While there will be tents with tables and chairs, Brown encourages attendees to bring their own chairs or blankets and even coolers to take home food.

With several thousands of pounds of ingredients going into each dish, Brown described prepping the food for the festival as “a labor of love.” For example, if the number of grape leaves needed to be rolled were lined up, they could stretch from the church all the way to Short Pump Town Center, she said.

Festival organizers are expecting about 40,000 attendees during the three-day event. More than 300 families from Saint Anthony’s parish came together to plan the festival starting in September, Brown said.

“When I say we cook as if we’re cooking for our own family, that’s no exaggeration” she said. “But in reality, our family is 40,000 people.”

The festival will run rain or shine Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Takeout orders for boxed lunches, dinner and a la carte items can be made in advance using this online ordering form.

Admission and parking for the festival is free, and there will be a free shuttle to take attendees from the parking lot to the festival.

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For details about the Lebanese Food Festival, call (804) 718-8508 or (804) 718-8468; visit https://www.facebook.com/stanthonyscatholicchurch/ or https://www.instagram.com/lebanesefoodfest/; or e-mail LebaneseFoodFestival@gmail.com.