Greek festival

Souvlaki grilling at the 2011 Greek Festival in Piscataway, New Jersey on May 15, 2011

A Greek festival or Greek Fest is an annual celebration of Greek culture presented by many ethnic Greek American communities and organization in the United States and Canada, particularly Greek Orthodox churches. Typically, these events are intended for attendance by the general public.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Attendees can sample Greek music, cuisine, and dance, typically performed in traditional dress. Such events are often fundraisers for Orthodox churches of the Greek Archdiocese.[4]

These Greek festivals originate from celebrations in Greece for religious holidays, such as, Greek Orthodox Easter and non-religious holidays, such as, the Festival of Flowers (Protomayia).

Greek foods often served at Greek festivals include Lamb, Greek salad with olives and Feta cheese, Dolmades, Spanakopita, Tiropita, and Greek coffee. Sweets include Baklava, Loukoumades, Diples, Galaktoboureko, Koulorakia, and Kourabiedes.

In a modern context, the term "Greek Fest" is also used to refer to the celebrations or festivities organized and held by college/university fraternities and sororities (Greek system organizations) in North America.

See also

References

  1. ^ Dehghanzadeh, Alice (August 7, 2025). "Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church's Greek Festival Returns to Santa Barbara: Greek Food and Drink to be Enjoyed with Live Greek Music and Dance". Santa Barbara Independent. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  2. ^ Fillmore, Andy (August 5, 2025). "Greek Festival set for mid-October at Sts. Markella and Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church". MW Florida Daily News. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  3. ^ Storey, Ethan (August 7, 2025). "Pawtucket's Greek Festival focuses on favorites, affordability". The Valley Breeze. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  4. ^ a b MacCash, Doug (May 19, 2025). "It's Greek Festival's 50th anniversary. Here's what to know about this year's food and fun. The fest benefits the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral". Nola.com. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  5. ^ Sloan, Kaycee (June 25, 2025). "Cincinnati's Panegyri Greek Festival is back for its 50th year. Everything to know". Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
  6. ^ Dubina, Nicolas (May 16, 2025). "Albany "Going Greek" on opening night of weekend festival". CBS 6 Albany. Retrieved August 11, 2025.