The smells of pungently spiced food, arabic chatter and Lebanese pop music transformed a parking lot into a cultural experience during the 25th annual Lebanese festival at St. Maron’s Catholic Church on September 27-28.

St. Maron’s church is a very serious looking building with giant gold plated domes protruding from the top. Loud music was heard playing from around the block along with laughter and children’s happy shrieks. Upon reaching the parking lot behind the church where the festival was being held, heavy smells of food permeated the space.

Multiple blow up bouncy castles with slides for the small children took over the far side of the parking lot beside a tent for the DJ who was casually smoking a hookah in between playing songs. A large tent in the center housed 30 round tables for patrons to dine or sit to watch the children playing and hear the Lebanese pop music.

An entire half of the parking lot was a huge outdoor kitchen with brick ovens, grills and stovetops where over 50 people, mainly older members of St. Maron’s church, were making fresh, authentic Lebanese cuisine such as chicken or eggplant shawarma (a sandwich made with pita, lettuce, tomato, tzatziki or other sauce) and Lahm Biajeen (a lebanese meat pizza). Also available were plenty of desserts such as baklava, macaroons, and osmaliya (a traditional dessert made of shredded pastry and frozen cream sauce).

The common area inside the church featured a large silent auction with American items such as a ‘movie basket’ with popcorn, candy and several family movies or gift cards to stores or spas, but the silent auction was heavy with Lebanese items. Dresses, traditional slippers and jewelry, intricately decorated coffee pots and dishware and luxurious rugs, blankets, and artwork were on display. The money went towards the church and future Lebanese festivals.

Overall the Lebanese festival was a great introduction to their culture. Many of the food servers were very patient and helpful when the names of the foods were flubbed by many of the ‘tourists’ coming to the church. The food was delicious, the music was very interesting and cool to listen to and the people watching was reason to come back next year all on its own. The Lebanese festival was one of the best cultural experiences in the Minneapolis area.