GetOut Magazine

Get your Greek on at 45th cultural festival
By BRITTANY FEDER
SPECIAL TO GET OUT

Where can you sip Greek wine, eat a spanakopita and watch Greek folk dancers perform? It's just a typical day at the Greater Phoenix Greek Festival, one of the Valley's longest-running cultural events.

Offering authentic Greek food and drink, live entertainment and things to buy, the three-day festival is now in its 45th year.

Festival co-chairman Chris Petroulakis says, "The festival has really matured to where it reaches all ages, and everyone walks away appreciating it."

The festival has drawn about 15,000 people over the course of a weekend.

Greek vendors are set up throughout 10 acres of indoor and outdoor space, and a Greek Village Market sells authentic foods.

"We do have all the staple Greek food in the market, but we try to incorporate five to six new items each year," says Petroulakis.

After you stuff yourself with Greek pastries and dolmades and sample Metaxa brandy, the festival offers live entertainment. Music is played by Greek bands, while folk dancers perform and offer dance lessons to the public.

Greater Phoenix Greek Festival
When: 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Speros Community Center, 1973 E. Maryland Ave., Phoenix
How much: $2 (seniors and children under 12 are free Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday)
Info: and www.holytrinityphx.org