GreekFest — featuring authentic Greek food, entertainment and culture — returns to Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Friday, Aug. 15, through Sunday, Aug. 17. The annual three-day festival
Traditional Greek dancers will provide entertainment at Assumption’s GreekFest.
typically draws more than 10,000 people from throughout metro Detroit.
GreekFest hours are noon to 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17. The grand-opening ceremony takes place noon Friday, Aug. 15, and features guest emcee Charlie Langton, FOX 2 Detroit anchor. Community leaders also will be recognized.
“GreekFest is a wonderful event that our entire community looks forward to annually,” said Tom Thomas, GreekFest co-chair. “Over 250 volunteers from Assumption and the community really enjoy serving the thousands of people who visit us each year. We have something for everyone. It is truly a family event.”
Other GreekFest co-chairs are George Dallas, Bob De Waele, Nick Moschouris, Achilles Papakonstantinou and Tony Marchiori, who said they are looking forward to seeing people come together for great food and music and a sense of community that is next to none.
Live entertainment is among the features of this year’s festival, including retired WDIV-TV anchor Devin Scillian, who perform with his band, Arizona Son, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Saturday. The band Enigma will perform Greek music throughout the weekend. Assumption dance groups, including the Hellenic Society for the Performing Arts, will provide colorful entertainment with costumes and dances from the regions of Greece. Open dancing follows with Assumption dancers teaching Greek dancing throughout the weekend. Audience participation is welcome.
Authentic Greek cuisine — including popular Hellenic menu items such as kebobs, spinach pie, lamb shanks, stuffed grape leaves, pastitsio, flaming cheese, Greek salad, gyros and more — are a highlight of the festival, which also offers chicken tenders, hot dogs and fries. For those with a sweet tooth there are homemade pastries, including Baklava, custard rolls, Greek breads and cookies, and Loukoumades. A taverna also is available for ages 21 years and older.
Food is available for carryout as well. Drive-thru hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. View the menu or order online at assumptiongreekfestival.com, or call ahead at (586) 596-6326 or (586) 779-8071.
GreekFest includes something for all ages, including a kids’ activities area that features games, magic and puppet shows, jugglers, face painting, stilt walkers, a balloon man and a giant slide, inflatables and more. Detroit Tigers mascot Paws will be on hand as well.
Great shopping also is provided during GreekFest at the festival’s indoor marketplace featuring vendors from the U.S. and Greece. Icons, art, photography, jewelry, oil paintings, handmade crafts, home accessories, imported women’s clothing and other treasures are among the offerings.
A highlight of GreekFest are daily tours of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church and the history and development of its iconography. Additionally, the Hellenic Museum of Michigan will host the exhibit “The History of Greektown” throughout the weekend. Daily drawings of gift cards from Greektown restaurants will be held.
The grand raffle takes place 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17. First prize is $10,000; second prize is a 0.75-carat diamond solitaire pendant donated by edmund t. AHEE Jewelers; third prize is $500; and fourth, fifth and sixth prizes are $200 each.
Raffle tickets are $10 a piece and may be purchased online at assumptionfestival.com or in the Assumption office.
Admission is $3; children younger than 12 are admitted free.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit community programs and charities, including Cops for Kids, Focus Detroit and Cass Community Social Services.
Assumption Greek Orthodox Church is located at 21800 Marter, St. Clair Shores. Free parking and shuttle service are available.
For information, call (586) 779-6111 or visit assumptionfestival.com.
