Valley residents didn't have to travel to Athens to get a flavor of Greece this weekend.
With the 37th annual Greek Festival, Greek food, music and shopping was available in the heart of Phoenix.
The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral hosted its annual Greek Festival at the James A. Speros Community Center from Oct. 12 to 14. People from all over the Valley went to enjoy the entertainment of the live band, feast on Greek cuisine and homemade pastries, and peruse the market where they were able to find everything from Kalamata olives to fine jewelry.
Outside the Cathedral, a large play area for young children was assembled to entertain them with large slides and moonwalks. An endless supply of delicious Greek food, ready to eat, was set up in tents where people were able to enjoy anything from Saganaki, also known as flaming cheese, to Gyros, a Greek sandwich specialty.
Inside, attendees could buy jewelry, art, clothing and authentic novelty items, and a Greek market offered customers fresh spices, cheeses and more.
A large table stretched across the room filled with homemade pastries and desserts including the famous baklava and loukoumades.
And, for those who wanted a taste of everything, a buffet line was assembled where people could taste it all.
Rita Bruskas, who worked the information stand at the festival, believes she knows what keeps bringing the people back.
"The food and the pastries, they are delicious." Bruskas said.
Although the food was tasty and fresh, the live band brought in the crowd. People gathered around the stage where the band played tradition Greek music while people of every age danced along.
Grandparents watched as their grandchildren, who participated in the Church's dance group, took the stage, while others did more than watch — they joined them.
Bruskas said she thinks dancing is what brings most people to the festival.
"The Greek dancing, people love that," she said.
Andrea Joksimovic, a mother who comes to the festival with her daughter, agreed.
"It's the dancing," Joksimovic said. "It's a different experience for the people."
People were encouraged to continue to dance long into the night where the festival took on a whole new life.
When night fell, Greek wines, beers and more food were added to the already exuberant environment to keep spirits high and the good times going.
Though the Greek festival has ended this year, visit www.holytrinityphx.org for information on next year's festival.
Reach the reporter at: alexandra.layman@asu.edu.
