The ecological Naas River area hosted last weekend the traditional cherry festival which was organized by the municipality of Ain Arab-Rashayya as part of the local eco-tourism development project. The event was planned in cooperation with the Women rural kitchen group and the local community under the auspices of the Federation of Municipalities of the Rashayya. Activities during the festival included a village dinner and an exhibition of cherry and other fruit products followed by a mass service headed by Father Mitri Hissan. Participants then trekked to the old windmills and Naas River where an eco-friendly luncheon was served followed by a donkey race. The weekend ended with a musical performance using traditional wind and cord instruments, mainly mijwiz, rababa and the traditional tabla. (Al Diyar, 13 June 2015)