Take a trip to Greece at this long-running Long Beach festival – Press Telegram

Dancing, music and traditional dishes like gyros, souvlaki and moussaka will bring the shores of the Mediterranean to Southern California with the return of the Long Beach Greek Festival.

“This is very similar to what a Greek festival in Greece would be like. If you’re traveling through Greece and you stop at a local festival it would look like this with delicious food, delicious drinks live music,” said Thanasi Papoulias, a spokesman for the three-day festival, which takes place during Labor Day weekend.

The festival is marking its 75-year anniversary as a fundraiser for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church. The festival is an immersion on Greek culture driven by the food, music and dance moves of Greece.

Here’s what your trip to Greece in Long Beach will look like on Labor Day weekend.

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The Long Beach Greek Festival brings dancing, music and traditional dishes to Southern California on Labor Day weekend. (Photo courtesy Long Beach Greek Festival)

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The food

Greece is famous for its Mediterranean cuisine and it will be on full display at the festival in various booths focusing on Greek specialties.

“The food is the main draw. It’s made there, it’s prepped fresh and there’s a whole array of foods,” Papoulias said. “Everything you can think of under the sun that’s food related is there,” he added.

Checkout spots like the Taverna Booth where there will be options like grilled octopus, lamb chops marinated in Greek seasoning as well as pork and chicken souvlaki and Feta fries. Of course there will be a gyro booth serving beef and lamb options. And don’t worry veggie lovers, there are meatless options like dolmathes and spanakopita, which are spinach and feta pies, on the menu too.

The music

Opa! There will be music and dancing too with live tunes coming from Greek band The Olympians, which will be performing throughout the weekend. Dancing is a big part of the culture as well so get your groove on at the open Greek dance lessons, or catch a performances by professional dance groups.

Cultural demonstrations

The festival includes a marketplace where people can buy authentic products imported from Greece like olive oils and chocolate as well as jewelry, art and other souvenirs.

“The marketplace here has the best of the best. If you want something direct from Greece chances are it will be available there,” Papoulias said.