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The Middle Eastern Festival returns to St. George Church in West St. Paul on July 15-16 after a three-year pandemic hiatus.
“We’re all just so excited about everything in the return of our festival,” said John Khoury, co-chair of the event and owner of Beirut Restaurant. “To be able to showcase our culture and offer information and education to those who may be curious about our faith.”
What’s the highlight: Live Arabic music and dance performances under a big tent, plus the unique camel rides.
- “As always our food is the true highlight of the festival,” Khoury said. “Everything is made fresh and with the love of generations of families have enjoyed. From chicken kabobs sandwiches, gyro wraps, falafel, and many others, people are sure to find something that will please them.”
Cost: The event is free, including live music and dance performances. There will be food available for sale, including a bake sale (check the website for pre-sale items), camel rides for $10 per rider, and a kids’ area with games and inflatables for a $10 ‘all day’ bracelet.
History: The festival started in 2007 and highlights the church’s culture. St. George Church has been in the area for more than a century, and at the current location in West St. Paul since 1974.
“I think back to the Saturday night performance during the festival in 2019, there must have been about 800 people in that tent and at one point I’d say half of them were up dancing. So many young people just excited and happy to be celebrating our rich culture, some of them non-Arabs. It’s just going to be great to see that again.”
John Khoury
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One Response
This is a fabulous event, so glad it’s coming back this year!