The Romanian Festival will return to Potomac this weekend, bringing three days of traditional food, music, dance, and cultural performances to Montgomery County.
Hosted by Biserica Ortodoxa Romana “Sfantul Apostol Andrei”, the annual festival will take place May 15-17 at the church property located at 9111 River Road in Potomac. Admission is free, though organizers say free-will donations supporting construction of the church’s new building and ongoing site work are appreciated.
Festival organizers describe the weekend as a celebration of Romanian tradition, culture, and Orthodox spirituality, with hundreds of volunteers expected to welcome guests throughout the event.
The festival’s food offerings will once again be a centerpiece of the celebration, featuring traditional Romanian favorites including mititei (Romanian skinless sausages), lamb pastrami, and sarmale, the country’s well-known stuffed cabbage dish. Romanian drinks and homemade pastries prepared by church volunteers will also be available.
In addition to the food, visitors can enjoy Romanian folk music, handcrafted goods, traditional clothing displays, and live performances throughout the weekend. The entertainment lineup includes performances from the Carpathia Folk Dance Ensemble, Bucovina Folk Dance Group, local Romanian singer Cristi Eni, and dance groups from St. Andrew Church.
Family-friendly activities are also planned, including crafts, games, glitter tattoos, a moon bounce, and a petting zoo for children. The festival begins at 4pm Friday and continues Saturday and Sunday from 11am-7pm.
