St. Mark’s Coptic Church in Ripon will once again host the Egyptian Festival ‘18.

The admission-free, three-day event begins Friday, Sept. 21, at the church located at 315 S. Orange Ave. Festivities will take place indoors and outdoors of the church grounds.

George Benjamin of St. Mark’s is looking forward to seeing the many familiar faces and newcomers at the Egyptian Festival.

“They love our foods,” he said.

The Egyptian menu will consists of gyros, kebabs, falafel, beef shawarma, stuff grape leaves, dolma, moussaka, and baklava, to name a few.

Last year, the festival was moved from October to September. Yet much remained the same.

Church tours will still be offered every hour.

St. Mark’s is similar to the Orthodox churches of over 2,000 years ago, according to Benjamin.

The church features stained-glass windows along with the series of paintings in handmade picture frames of Jesus, from birth, life, death and resurrection.

The Pharaoh Bazaar boutique with everything Egyptian – traditional clothes and apparel – the Coptic Book Store and the Nefertiti Gallery are where visitors can pick up souvenirs and other keepsakes.

A live Egyptian band will be performing.

Fun includes getting a henna tattoo, face painting and games for children.

The Pharaoh Photo Studio will be available for those in attendance.

They’ll also have a chance to win raffle prizes.

The Egyptian Festival is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday (Sept. 21), 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 22), and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday (Sept. 23).

For more information, call 925.357.7555 or 209.599.3310.