Ohio County, WV — WHEELING, W.Va. — The 92nd Annual Lebanese Festival in Oglebay offered a vibrant celebration of culture and community, beginning with a Marianite Catholic liturgy at 10 a.m. on the festival grounds. Hymns were sung in both English and traditional Arabic or Aramaic, setting the tone for a day filled with authentic Lebanese cuisine and cultural festivities.
Louis Khoury, a committee member, explained the festival’s historical roots: “The church burned down in 1932, it was built in the ’20s, to serve the early population of immigrants from Lebanon that started coming over here. Probably a little before World War One, so this festival was started to raise money to rebuild the church.”
The event featured live music by the David Hakim Ensemble and traditional dance performances by the Tiffani Ahdia Troupe and the Our Lady of Lebanon Youth Troupe. Mariana Alkhauri expressed the performers’ enthusiasm, saying, “We’re very excited, we’ve been training the whole summer for this festival. And this festival is very special to us because we are commemorating the Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady.”
A marketplace offered clothing, Lebanese spices, specialty goods, and souvenirs, including items imported directly from Lebanon. Liz Murad, chairperson of the Lebanese Festival, highlighted the unique culinary offerings: “I don’t think there’s any place that really sells a lot of Mediterranean food in this area. A lot of people, their grandparents were up here and started this, it’s a nice tradition.”
The festival, which serves as the church’s largest annual fundraiser, was free to the public, with complimentary parking and a shuttle service for easy access. Organizers emphasized the festival’s role in bringing the community together and keeping traditions alive.