What to see, eat and do at the Dayton Lebanese Festival this weekend

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

The 26th annual Greater Dayton Lebanese Festival is this weekend. Summer can’t end in Dayton until this event has been crossed off the calendar for another year.

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The 25th annual Greater Dayton Lebanese Festival held at St. Ignatius of Antioch Maronite Catholic Church on 5915 Springboro Pike took place this weekend from Friday, Aug. 24 to Sunday Aug. 26. The three-day event featured rides, music, dancing and Lebanese food. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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The three-day event, held at St. Ignatius of Antioch Maronite Catholic Church at 5915 Springboro Pike, features rides, music and dancing galore, and typically draws more than 10,000 visitors each year.

But let’s talk about the food.

The 25th annual Greater Dayton Lebanese Festival held at St. Ignatius of Antioch Maronite Catholic Church on 5915 Springboro Pike took place this weekend from Friday, Aug. 24 to Sunday Aug. 26. The three-day event featured rides, music, dancing and Lebanese food. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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Delicious Lebanese foods like Kibbee, Kafta, tabouli, kabob, stuffed grape leaves, and beef and chicken Shawarma (similar to a gyro) are all hand prepared on site. But you must try the hummus dip, which is homemade, along with mountain bread and zhatar seasoning.

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The 25th annual Greater Dayton Lebanese Festival held at St. Ignatius of Antioch Maronite Catholic Church on 5915 Springboro Pike took place this weekend from Friday, Aug. 24 to Sunday Aug. 26. The three-day event featured rides, music, dancing and Lebanese food. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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No dessert? No chance. Fresh Middle Eastern pastries are also promised to make your taste buds sing and your belly dance.

The 25th annual Greater Dayton Lebanese Festival held at St. Ignatius of Antioch Maronite Catholic Church on 5915 Springboro Pike took place this weekend from Friday, Aug. 24 to Sunday Aug. 26. The three-day event featured rides, music, dancing and Lebanese food. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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Lebanese clothing will be available for purchase, with artifacts also on display.

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A traditional Catholic Mass will take place Sunday at 10 a.m. The liturgy includes the ancient Eucharistic prayer in Aramaic.

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Admission and parking at the event are free.

Want to go?

WHAT: Greater Dayton Lebanese Festival

WHERE: 5915 Springboro Pike, Miami Twp.

WHEN: 6 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25

COST: Free

INFO: Call 937-428-0372 | Website

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