The countless cars – as well as a variety of other vehicles – were visual proof of just how popular the St. George’s Maronite Church Lebanese Festival has become in just four short years.

People of all ages angled for every possible parking spot near the Roman Catholic Church that’s located adjacent to St. Mary’s on Cranston Street and as far north on Haven Avenue near Mario’s Italian Restaurant.

The reason parking was at a premium?

Quite simple, if you walked any where near the huge “Big Top” tent that covered the St. George Maronite Church parking housed a number of different food stations that featured lines of people who wanted to savor the home-cooked Lebanese-style food during all three days of the 4th Annual Festival.

“Mmm, that smells absolutely sumptuous,” remarked an elderly man who was fortunate to find an empty parking space near the church. “You can’t beat the aroma of meat and chicken being cooked to orders and on the [propane-powered] charcoal grill.”

But that’s what volunteer chefs like Ernest Ramey, David Thomas and Mike Wakim – just to name a few – did throughout the three-day festival that pleased people’s palates with a variety of Lebanese cuisine.

“Once again,” Rev. Edward Nedder, the popular pastor at St. George Maronite Church, said, “our entire parish community is overwhelmed by the support and participation from everyone who attended our annual Lebanese Festival.”

People of all ages turned out last weekend to enjoy the specially-prepared Lebanese foods that were served by volunteer parishioners who wore wide smiles on their faces throughout the three-day event.

Whether you came for our delicious food or to listen to Lebanese entertainment or to watch our St. George Dance Troupe perform, we hope that everyone who attended had as good of a time as we did,” Father Nedder went on. “We’re already looking forward to next year’s Festival.”

Although Father Nedder wouldn’t tip his hand or offer what’s in store for 2018, he did emphasize: “This festival is only made possible by the generous support of the attendees, our sponsors and the amazing St. George parishioners who volunteered their time. Our community takes great pride in displaying our Lebanese heritage and our hearts are full of gratitude for the thousands of people who came to support St. George’s Church.”