St. Anthony’s Parish seventh annual “Mahrajan”

In the early part of the 20th century, a community of Lebanese immigrants emerged in Danbury, using

their fur-working skills to thrive in the city’s heyday of hat manufacturing. In 1932, St. Anthony’s Maronite Catholic Church was founded by some 70 families of Lebanese descent.

Today, St. Anthony’s Parish includes over 300 families, most of Lebanese descent, and on August 13 and 14, it hosted its seventh annual, two-day “mahrajan,” or festival, at the church at 17 Granville Ave.

Festivities ran from the early afternoon to midnight, featuring dance and music performances from Lebanon, Lebanese jewelry and accessories available for purchase, kids’ games, food prepared by volunteers, including popular offerings such as falafel and kibbe, and a Hookah bar.