St. George Middle Eastern Food Festival Returns for 36th Year

BIRMINGHAM, AL — While Birmingham's reputation as a city for food lovers has been on the rise for the past few years, a 36-year-old tradition continues to deliver a taste of the Middle East to the Magic City. The St. George Middle Eastern Food Festival will return for its 2017 iteration on Sept. 14-16.

The festival will feature locally-made Middle Eastern cuisine as well as live music, dancing and booths from local vendors selling fresh produce, art, books and other cultural pieces.

In addition to on-site festivities, a menu of food will be available for takeout and delivery to those in the downtown area who cannot attend the festival. The menu, which can be found on the church's website, includes many of the foods that will be available at the festival itself, like kibbee, rolled grape leaves, falafel and other Middle Eastern staples. A drive-thru option is also available at the church.

Proceeds from the event will benefit local charities like Three Hots and a Cot, Pathways of Birmingham and Habitat for Humanity. The church also uses the festival as a means to feed displaced persons and women in shelters, as well as provide living supplies to people in need.

The festival will be located at St. George Melkite Catholic Church at 425 16th Ave. South.

Photo Courtesy of St. George Melkite Catholic Church