St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church is getting ready for its 80th Middle Eastern Cultural Festival, a long weekend of dancing, and eating at the church on Onondaga Road, on Howlett Hill.  Rob Mahshie, festival chair, gave Action News a preview of the sweets served. Several varieties are made by the Church--about 100 women start baking in early June to create the roughly 4,000 pieces.  Baklava is probably the most well-known, but others are made in molds, or in the case of the 'birds nest,' filo dough is sweetened and layered, then wrapped around a broom like stick and squeezed together to make the next, which is filled with nuts and honey.  Mahshie says the men also get involved, cooking the meats (including kabobs) under a tent during the festival.   There are programs to explain names,  ingredients and more, as well as 'human' guides to the goodies.  There is also entertainment, including Middle Eastern dancing by several groups. 
The festival runs Friday to Sunday (July 17 - 19), for more: http://www.sainteliasny.com/Festival.php