MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The annual Myrtle Beach Greek Festival returned Oct. 16-19, giving people the chance to learn about and experience the culture.
The event was held at the St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church.
From food to music and entertainment to vendors and more, Sam Stathos with the church said thousands of people were estimated to attend the event.
With an event of this scale, the revenue it brings in benefits the church.
“It helps us maintain our facilities, our ministries, and things that we do frankly to help the Grand Strand at large as best as we can,” Stathos said.
Stathos added that the annual event is a large fundraiser for the church. The turnout has a long-lasting impact on the church and those a part of it.
“Well if it wasn’t for this festival, our church could not survive off—we have a small amount of members, so we’re in the number of 150,“ said Deane Morris with the church. ”We have a pretty good size overhead with the church that we have and if we didn’t have this festival I don’t know if we could stay in business as a church.”
Stathos said not only does the revenue benefit them, but it benefits others as funds are donated to nonprofits.
“Every year we choose a handful of community nonprofits that we will help donate our funds that we get through admissions,” Stathos said. “In fact, to give you an example, last year we helped a sister church in Asheville, North Carolina, that was suffering because of Hurricane Helene.”
He said these donations are all thanks to community support from those who attend the festival.
“That only happened because the people that come to this festival support us, which means in turn they’re supporting their community,” Stathos said.
Stathos said planning for next year’s festival begins following the end of this year’s festival, which was Sunday.
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