ÓRA GIA PÁRTI—It is time to party—at the Ventura County Greek Festival, this weekend in Camarillo. At the 2022 edition at Freedom Park, above from left, dance instructors Helen Iannidis and Alex Iannidis show Camarillo resident Elise Bancroft and Ventura resident Christy Weir a Greek dance. In 2024, at right, Camarillo resident Bobby Gonzalez, with the dance group Thavmatakia, performs the potiria dance, or the Dance With Many Cups. Acorn file photos
The Ventura County Greek Festival is back with baklava, music and dancing, and the entire county is invited.
The annual event is more than a cultural festival, organizers from St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church say.
“It is an opportunity to share a part of ourselves with the community: who we are; where we come from; what we believe,” organizers say on the festival website. “Our heartfelt wish is that you enjoy yourselves during the festival weekend, but please remember that we are here year-round and always prepared to help those in need, regardless of faith.”
Still, music, dance and food play a large role in the celebration that draws visitors from throughout the county and beyond.
The festival will have gyros, Greek sausage, kebobs, spanakopita and a variety of pastries and Greek spirits.
Music and dance performances are scheduled throughout the event, as are church tours. A kids zone will be available for fun for the young crowd.
The festival runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 21 and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 22 at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Christian Church on Santa Rosa Road in Camarillo; however, parking is not available onsite. Instead, the church is offering free parking and shuttle rides from the Ventura Count Office of Education parking lot at 5100 Adolfo Road in Camarillo.
Admission is $6 and is available at the gate.
Admission is free for active military members, veterans, first responders and children 11 and younger.
For more information about the event, go to vcgreekfestival.org.
