Greek fest features food, fun

Annual celebration serves as primary fundraiser for St. John's Church

View File photoDr. K.Theodor, left, serves up some traditional Greek food to Las Vegas resident Kimberly Maloy at last year?s Greek Food Festival. Advertisement

The grounds of St. John's Greek Orthodox Church will be transformed into the 35th annual Greek Food Festival.

The event is open from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, from 3 to 11 p.m. on Friday, from noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and from noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

The festival is the primary fundraiser for St. John's Church and its community and education centers, and features authentic Greek food homemade by parishioners.

"It's very important. It's what keeps the church going," said Sam Koutsulis, who cooks for the festival. "We cook delicious food."

Admission to the feast is $5, and coupon books are available for $15. The books only will be sold before the festival and include admission, dinner and a beverage.

Pre-sale tickets are available at the Greek Grill Cafe at 7871 W. Charleston Blvd or at the church.

Remote parking is located at Spring Valley Hospital, and shuttle buses will depart every five minutes to take attendees to the church grounds.

"It's very convenient. It has a Disney feel to it," said Pete Pappas, owner of the Greek Grill Cafe and a member of the church's parish council board.

There will be traditional foods available, such as calamari, Greek sausage and Greek meatballs. Parishioners have been preparing food for the event for the past six weeks. In total, about 1,500 pounds of beef and 2,000 pounds of chicken are used to make kabobs, and 250 trays of Greek lasagna are prepared, among the other treats.

"Any kind of coffee you can imagine, we can make," Pappas said.

Three church tours are offered each day of the festival, and interested parties should stop by the front entrance of the church for times.

A Greek bazaar filled with Greek gifts and market items awaits guests, while two bands will play continuously. The festival also will feature free dance lessons and all-Greek dancing for the duration, Koutsulis said.

"It's probably the most authentic (Greek) festival in Nevada," Pappas said. "We want you to feel like you're coming to our home."

"It means a lot to us," Koutsulis added.

St. John's Greek Orthodox Church is at 5300 El Camino Road. For more information, call 248-3896.