19th Annual Greek Festival
September 3-5, 2010
Friday ~ 4:00 pm - 9 pm
Saturday ~ 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Sunday ~ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Admission $2 per person ~ under 12 free Emerald Coast Conference Center - Okaloosa Island
visit greekfestivalfwb.com or call 850-244-0822
Labor Day weekend on the Emerald Coast includes a full schedule of events to keep you entertained while marking the unofficial end of summer.Saints Markella and Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church brings the sights, sounds and tastes of Greek culture to Okaloosa Island during its 19th annual celebration, My Big Fat Greek Festival, Friday through Sunday at the Emerald Coast Conference Center.
Organizers describe the three-day event as a weekend of fun activities for families and single folks, a chance to bring the entire multi-cultural community of Northwest Florida together.
Bouzouki music creates an electrifying atmosphere, and sounds of ?opa? resonate through the air as ethnic dancers perform authentic Greek dances, which have retained much of their identity from ancient times.Dancing is an important part of Greek religious festivities, national holiday and family celebrations. To fully experience this Greek culture, traditional dances will be taught throughout the day.
Enjoy the festive atmosphere and relax with a meal of homemade Greek dishes such as souvlaki (shish-kebob), gyro, moussaka, pastitso, spanakopita (layers of filo stuffed with spinach and cheese) and dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves). More items have been added to this year?s menu.Sample a glass of wine, Greek beer or that national liqueur, ouzo.Satisfy that sweet tooth with a selection of pastries, including baklava (layers of nuts and filo soaked in honey), and kourabiedes (crescent-shaped butter cookies covered with powdered sugar). Top it all off with a cup of authentic Greek coffee from the caf?.There will be take-out and pastry gift packs available.
Walk through the silent auction area and bid on a variety of items donated by local merchants. Visit the bakaliko (gourmet Greek grocery), gift shops and jewelry and arts and crafts booths.
Stroll down the hall to see the Greek Orthodox Church display of majestic icons and learn about this centuries old religion. The religious bookstore will offer books, articles and gifts.
Admission for this church fundraiser is $2 per person; children under age 12 are free.
Hours are 4-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. There is plenty of free parking.
