The Orlando Greek Fest, now in its 47th year, is taking place from Friday to Sunday, November 7-9, at Holy Trinity Church in Maitland. I attended this festival a few years ago. It’s a great time.
Greece is a beautiful country. One of the best aspects of Greece is its cuisine, and one of the best aspects of this festival is the cuisine. If you like Greek food (I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t), you will love the festival.
The event also features Greek dancing, music, and exhibits that showcase Greek history and culture. The children’s groups present some of this.
If you miss this festival, consider visiting one of the many great Greek restaurants in the Orlando area. I enjoy taking periodic trips to Tarpon Springs. It has the highest percentage of Greeks in the country and has the look of a tourist trap from a bygone era. It’s a fun trip.
Tarpon is reminiscent of an old movie set, designed to resemble Greece. Beneath the 12-Mile Reef was shot there in 1953. It was one of many films and books that referenced the story of Romeo and Juliet. Robert Wagner and Terry Moore played the starstruck lovers from the two feuding sponge diving families; Tarpon is known as the Sponge Capital of the world. It’s a fun, campy CinemaScope look at Tarpon Springs.
In the meantime, go to Orlando Greek Fest. Get some moussaka, pastitsio, dolmades, Grecian lamb shank, Greek-style baked chicken, shrimp saganaki, spanakopita, tiropita, avgolemono, Greek salad, and rizzogalo (rice pudding).
Admission is free. There is a parking charge. There is a free air-conditioned shuttle. Check the website for details.
The festival schedule is as follows: Friday, November 7, 4 pm – 10 pm, Saturday, November 8, 11 am – 10 pm, and Sunday, November 9, 11 am – 6 pm.
Pat Greene is Bungalower Media’s first sponsored Resident Reporter. Greene has joined our team as our Arts and Culture Correspondent, supported by the efforts of Interstruct Design + Build, an award-winning Orlando-based design and build firm.
