FAYETTEVILLE – North Carolina’s favorite Greek Festival is making a return on September 20 and 21.
The beloved Fayetteville Greek Festival is coming back for its 35th year, promising plenty of Greek music, food, dancing and family-friendly fun for everyone.
Taking place on Saturday 20 September, from 11 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday 21, September, from 12 – 6 PM at Saint Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, at 614 Oakridge Avenue in Fayetteville, the two-day festival will unite the community and its families together to celebrate the Greek culture, flavors, sounds and the Orthodox faith.
This year’s event is set to feature tours of Saint Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox with Fr. Alexander Papgikos, who will offer a brief history of the Church and its icons, as well as opportunities for shopping, wine tasting, watching live Greek dancing performances, indulging in Greek savory and sweet delights and immersing in the Greek culture.
In an interview with The National Herald, the Co-Chair of the Fayetteville Greek Festival, Vince Higgins, revealed how the festival represents a great festive tradition of Hellenic culture that dates all the way back to 1990.
“Originally, this festival began with the late Pete Parrous and the late Pete Poulos, God rest their souls, as the first co-chairs. Both were first-generation Greek immigrants from the villages of Karpenisi,” Higgins told TNH.
“The idea originated from other Greek festivals around the nation, serving as a way to share Hellenic culture within American cities, establishing themselves as proud Americans. Pete Parrous’ son-in-law, Tony Kotsopoulos, pitched the idea after moving to Fayetteville, NC, from Merrick, NY. Soon afterward, the Parish Council agreed to it, and the church members began a great tradition that has lasted for three decades.”
Since its inauguration, the festival has evolved from a small venue behind St Constantine and Helen church, into one that has become a larger-scale community event.
“Pre-COVID-19, the festival offered numerous attractions for the community. Since then, we’ve been gradually returning, hosting families and friends, providing a little taste of Hellenic culture,” the Festival’s Co-Chair said.
The Festival has previously been known to offer a variety of popular foods in the Greek cuisine, including lamb shanks, chicken with lemon potatoes, pastichio, dolmades, spanakopita, gyros, souvlaki, pizza, salads and more. The ladies of the church’s Philiptochos are also known for making delicious homemade Greek pastries every year.
In 2024, the festival welcomed between 12,000-15,000 guests, and this year, Higgins hopes it’ll be even bigger.
“Overall, Fayetteville Greek Festival is a well-rounded festival offering many aspects of Hellenic culture, such as music, food, and dance, with our local community,” he added.
With free admission, and reasonable prices, Higgins revealed some of the additional attractions that the Festival will offer this year includes visits from the Fayetteville Police and Fire Departments, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department, and NC State Highway Troopers, who will be providing public awareness campaigns during the festival, while fostering public relationships with the community.
The Cumberland County Library will also be assisting children with registering for their own library cards to use ahead of the upcoming school year.
“One of the best things our festival provides is the fellowship of the whole community of Fayetteville in North Carolina,” Higgins said.
“Our local Greek-American church takes pride in providing an annual weekend event for the Greater area of Fayetteville, hosting families, friends, and transients, a cultural experience they are unable to get every day.”
To find out more about the Fayetteville Greek Festival, visit their Facebook page, Fayetteville Greek Festival.
