Be Greek for a day at this year’s annual Greek Festival

Try a flaky, savory spanakopita, browse a selection of Greek art and jewelry or break out into traditional Greek dance at this year’s 17th annual Greek Festival. 

Hosted by the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church, the festival will kick off Friday Oct. 25 and run through Saturday and Sunday in downtown Macon.

“People can come and be Greek for the day,” Emily Dermatas, 2nd vice president of the church’s Ladies Philoptochos Society, said. “We love showcasing our culture, the Greek culture, but also the Greek Orthodox faith.”

There will be several church tours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for folks to learn about the history and beliefs of the orthodox church. 

Areti dancers from Atlanta, Greek musicians and the Holy Cross Youth Troupe will bring everyone to their feet and transport attendees across the world to Greece.

“We encourage people to get up and dance and try whatever they feel like,” she said. “You’ll see the crowd, lots of times, will just burst out and start clapping. You’ll see some of the workers break out into dance.”

Food-lovers can eat their way through Greece by choosing from a variety of authentic Greek food. For example, enjoy a lunch of dolmades, traditional stuffed grape leaves, or a gyro, the popular Greek sandwich. 

Those with a sweet tooth can pick from a wide selection of pastries, such as the chopped nut and phyllo pastry, Baklava or Loukoumades, Greek donuts. 

If folks are looking to stay cool in the heat, there will be a speciality ouzo sunset cocktail or freddo cappuccino, amongst many other drink options.

Attendees can also buy frozen pans of their favorite, authentic Greek dishes at the festival. 

When the festival first began in 2008, not many people from the Macon community attended, Dermatas explained, but the happiness, love and family-oriented atmosphere attracted many visitors over the years.

“17 years later, it’s amazing,” she said. “The number of people that come from all the areas, all walks of life — everybody just trying to be Greek for the moment.”

The festival will take place on 859 First St. in downtown Macon. Friday, Oct. 25 – Saturday Oct. 26, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 27 – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Fore more information visit holycrossga.org/greek-festival/