The aromas of Lebanese specialties filled the air outside St. Ann Maronite Church in Scranton as the church hosted its annual Lebanese festival. Tents took over a stretch of Price Street on the city’s West Side for the one-day celebration, which has been held for the past 31 years.
“It’s so amazing because we got a lot of our parishioners from all over the country now in this event,” said the Rev. Tony Youssef, pastor of St. Ann Maronite Church.
Youssef said the festival reflects how the Lebanese community established itself in Scranton and continued to grow over the generations. “It’s not only as a church, but it’s also cultural, it’s spiritual — it’s a big family,” Youssef said. “We donate our time, and our heart, and you can see the love of the people and how much the people are happy when they come to this event once a year.”
Despite rainy weather, parishioners and community members turned out to enjoy traditional Lebanese food while celebrating a culture and community built over decades.
For some families, the church’s history is deeply personal.
“This church is the church where my wife’s father grew up, so her family has been in the church for over 100 years. I’ve been coming here since I got married,” said Don Ligorio, a volunteer and parishioner.
Former Scranton Mayor Eugene Peters, who was the city’s first and only Lebanese mayor, said generations of families have helped preserve the community’s traditions.
“We’re all married, intermarried, all nationalities, and you see them here,” Peters said, pointing to his family. “My little great-granddaughter here, fourth generation.”
For another family, the church represents decades of memories.
“It’s a miracle to have — my parents just married 70 years right on those steps and you can never want anything more,” a parishioner said.
For families who have carried these traditions across generations, the annual festival serves as a celebration of the roots they have established in the Electric City, roots anchored in Lebanese heritage, faith and family.