38th Annual Lebanese Food Festival attracts 40,000 people

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) -The 38th annual Lebanese Food Festival kicked off Friday, May 19, at Saint Anthony Church, inviting thousands of people to try different Lebanese foods throughout the weekend.

“It is the best food festival in town, no comparison,” said an attendee.

What may seem overwhelming for some people brings joy to the festival volunteers. One volunteer said it’s really not too challenging to make food for thousands of people - she says in the Lebanese culture - it’s normal.

“it’s a labor of love, it’s in our blood, Sunday dinner, if you don’t have 20 or 25 people, you don’t know what to do, so to do it for 40 thousand people, we do it in segments,” said a long-time volunteer, Sandra Joseph Brown.

For three days, the food festival brought people throughout the community together to bite into traditional meals, desserts and drinks like Lebanese wine and beer.

“We are very proud of our culture and our food and our traditions, and as RVA has embraced us, they want to share in it, and so being such a hospitable culture, we are happy to do that.,” she said.

One attendee has been attending the festival for over 20 years and loves the environment, the people and, of course, the food.

“You couldn’t ask for anything nicer,” said Sam, the attendee.