Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church welcomes the greater San Diego community to experience the “Food, Fun & Opa!” at the 45th Annual Cardiff Greek Festival on Sept. 6-7.
Attendees will enjoy Hellenic cuisine, entertainment, and hospitality as the church grounds are transformed into a Greek island village with the sights, sounds, and tastes of Greece.
“Our parish is once again excited to share Greece’s rich history and traditions, which we hold so dear, with the community-at-large through the festival,” said Rev. Father Michael Sitaras, pastor of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, in a news release. “Greeks show their love through food, music, dancing, and joyful shouts of ‘Opa!’ We look forward to sharing the fun with you.”
Festival attendees will be serenaded by the distinctive sounds of the bouzouki from renowned Southern California Greek band The Olympians performing traditional and popular songsthroughout the weekend. The parish’s youngest members – ages five through high school – will perform intricate folk dances in elaborate costumes. Attendees can also put their best foot forward with guided dance instruction.
Festival-goers will not want to miss the delicious Greek food and drinks. Authentic delicacies such as Greek-style roasted lamb shanks, lemon chicken, souvlaki (shish-kabobs), pastitsio (baked layers of macaroni, seasoned meat, cheese, and béchamel sauce), loukaniko (sausage), and gyros will be available. Vegetarian fare includes tiropitas (cheese triangles in filo), spanakopita (spinach pie in filo), dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves), fasolakia (green beans in tomato sauce), feta fries, and Greek salad.
Mouth-watering Greek pastries and specialty coffee, such as refreshing frappes, are sure todelight. Greek wine expert Michael Pavlidis will offer tastings of imported wines and spirits from several regions of Greece, the news release stated.
Father Sitaras will host tours of the church throughout the weekend. “What many visitors don’t realize is that our gold dome, which reflects an iconic shining cross on the outside, is just asmagnificent on the inside. I cherish the moment when guests first experience the intricacy of the Byzantine mosaics, iconography, and architecture,” Sitaris stated in the news release
The Agora will typify a traditional marketplace featuring Greek imports, fine jewelry, artwork, Greek deli, and more. Attendees will want to take home a piece of Greece to cherish long after the festival. The Kids Fun Zone will ensure children enjoy their time as much as the adults. A chance to win $20,000 cash drawing or for home plate Padres tickets including food, beverages, and parking (up to $2,600 value) will keep the festival’s excitement going until the very end. Tickets for $20 each can be purchased at the festival or requested at cardiffgreekfestival@gmail.com.
Cardiff Greek Festival is Saturday, Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 7from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the grounds of Saints Constantine and Helen, 3459 Manchester Avenue, a half mile east of I-5 at the Manchester exit in Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Free parking is available at adjacent Mira Costa College. Admission $4 (children under 12, active military, police, and firefighters with ID are free). No pets. ADA certified service dogs only.
For more information, visit www.cardiffgreekfest.com.
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