Greek Fest is something to feast on
St. Paul invites community to sample rich culture July 20-23
Costas Charalambous, with the Greek band Stigma, moves into the crowd with the bouzouki during their Saturday night performance last year. They will take the stage again each night of this year’s festival. File photo by JAIME ANTON
NORTH ROYALTON – Anyone hungry for a taste of Greece has hit the jackpot with the 39th St. Paul Annual Grecian Festival, one of the biggest events of the year, around the corner.
Traditional Greek food, drink, music and dance will be on tap non-stop during this four-day fest July 20-23 celebrating both the Greek culture and faith and host St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church located at 4548 Wallings Road in North Royalton.
It’s a big undertaking with an estimated 20,000-30,000 guests enjoying a sampling of the culture throughout the weekend.
Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 20; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 21-22; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 23. Admission and parking are free. A shuttle service will be available from 5-11 p.m. July 21 and 22 to and from Valley Vista Elementary and the North Royalton Family YMCA.
Everyone who visits should bring their appetite. Grecian favorites like gyros, lamb shanks, stuffed grape leaves, souvlaki, calamari, moussaka, pastitsio and baklava are all on the menu. There will be two serving lines in the main hall, one under the tent, a drive-thru line, even online ordering. To order online and pay, visit stpaulgoc.org/festival. Orders can also be called in to 440-237-9601 or placed in line in a second drive-thru for those picking up online orders.
Wash down all those delicacies with Greek beer and wine. Niko’s Bar and Gyros will attend Friday and Saturday with specialty Ohio craft beers.
Just as sought after as the food is the traditional music. Music by Dimitri will perform each evening of the festival in the main hall and Stigma will be on stage each evening under the big tent.
St. Paul’s own Hellenic Dancers will showcase their skills each day during various time slots.
On Thursday, all age groups will perform from 7:30-8:30 p.m.; on Friday, seniors take to the stage from 5-5:30 p.m., beginners from 7-7:20 p.m., juniors from 8-8:20 p.m. and seniors from 9-9:30 p.m. On Saturday, beginners will take the stage from 5-5:20 p.m., seniors from 7-7:30 p.m., juniors from 8-8:20 p.m. and seniors from 9-9:30 p.m. And on Sunday, seniors will perform from 5-5:30 p.m. and all age groups from 7-8 p.m.
For those who have never visited St. Paul’s sanctuary, it is a must see. The church will satisfy guests’ curiosity by offering tours at set times. These will be conducted at 2 and 5 p.m. July 20; at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. July 21-22; and at 3 and 5 p.m. July 23.
There will also be specialty boutiques inside and outside this year, and specialty pastries will be offered inside the coffee house.
Now in its 39th year, Rev. Costas Keares said the church looks forward to the event just as much as the community.
“It’s a labor of love with a lot of time and effort that goes into it but the opportunity to welcome and embrace so many thousands that come into this environment is worth it,” he said. “Really it’s a parish that extends out in celebration and hospitality and invites everyone to come and celebrate with us both our faith and culture.”
Traditional Greek food, drink, music and dance will be on tap non-stop during this four-day fest July 20-23 celebrating both the Greek culture and faith and host St. Paul Greek Orthodox Church located at 4548 Wallings Road in North Royalton.
It’s a big undertaking with an estimated 20,000-30,000 guests enjoying a sampling of the culture throughout the weekend.
Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 20; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 21-22; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 23. Admission and parking are free. A shuttle service will be available from 5-11 p.m. July 21 and 22 to and from Valley Vista Elementary and the North Royalton Family YMCA.
Everyone who visits should bring their appetite. Grecian favorites like gyros, lamb shanks, stuffed grape leaves, souvlaki, calamari, moussaka, pastitsio and baklava are all on the menu. There will be two serving lines in the main hall, one under the tent, a drive-thru line, even online ordering. To order online and pay, visit stpaulgoc.org/festival. Orders can also be called in to 440-237-9601 or placed in line in a second drive-thru for those picking up online orders.
Wash down all those delicacies with Greek beer and wine. Niko’s Bar and Gyros will attend Friday and Saturday with specialty Ohio craft beers.
Just as sought after as the food is the traditional music. Music by Dimitri will perform each evening of the festival in the main hall and Stigma will be on stage each evening under the big tent.
St. Paul’s own Hellenic Dancers will showcase their skills each day during various time slots.
On Thursday, all age groups will perform from 7:30-8:30 p.m.; on Friday, seniors take to the stage from 5-5:30 p.m., beginners from 7-7:20 p.m., juniors from 8-8:20 p.m. and seniors from 9-9:30 p.m. On Saturday, beginners will take the stage from 5-5:20 p.m., seniors from 7-7:30 p.m., juniors from 8-8:20 p.m. and seniors from 9-9:30 p.m. And on Sunday, seniors will perform from 5-5:30 p.m. and all age groups from 7-8 p.m.
For those who have never visited St. Paul’s sanctuary, it is a must see. The church will satisfy guests’ curiosity by offering tours at set times. These will be conducted at 2 and 5 p.m. July 20; at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. July 21-22; and at 3 and 5 p.m. July 23.
There will also be specialty boutiques inside and outside this year, and specialty pastries will be offered inside the coffee house.
Now in its 39th year, Rev. Costas Keares said the church looks forward to the event just as much as the community.
“It’s a labor of love with a lot of time and effort that goes into it but the opportunity to welcome and embrace so many thousands that come into this environment is worth it,” he said. “Really it’s a parish that extends out in celebration and hospitality and invites everyone to come and celebrate with us both our faith and culture.”