The Oklahoma City Greek Festival is marking its 40th year with a weekend of Greek food, music, dancing and cultural traditions at Saint George Greek Orthodox Church.
Festival representative Irene Gianos said the celebration is designed for families and for people who may have never experienced Greek culture firsthand.
“If you’ve never been to Greece, you have to come to the Greek festival,” Gianos said during a recent interview.
Visitors can expect live performances from Greek dancers and an authentic Greek band, along with homemade food and pastries.
The festival also includes shopping opportunities beyond the prepared food. Gianos said visitors can browse a grocery store featuring imported Greek products that can be difficult to find elsewhere in Oklahoma City. A gift boutique and jewelry are also part of the event.
Children’s activities are planned, and visitors will have an opportunity to tour Saint George Greek Orthodox Church.
Gianos said the church tour is an important part of the experience because the festival is about sharing both Greek culture and the community’s Orthodox faith.
“Our faith is so beautiful,” she said. “You’ll get to visit the church.”
For Gianos, sharing that culture is personal. She said her parents immigrated from Greece and that Greek was her first language.
“It’s just part of who I am, and I’m so passionate about our culture and our faith,” she said.
That desire to share Greek traditions extends to the broader community, she said.
“We love sharing it as a community with the people of Oklahoma City,” Gianos said.
The Festival will run Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
