Want to be Greek for a day? You can enjoy Greek food and culture at Greenville’s Greek Festival. KAG’s Kristina Hernandez attends Greek Festival with her family each year. Today she’s sharing some of her favorite things to do and the information you need to know about Greek Festival!
One of my most favorite desserts is a small square packed with nuts, filo dough, and mouth-watering honey. And it was calling my name. I offered some to my husband but he made a joke about how it didn’t look that good but decided to give it a shot. The baklava (pronounced bak-lah-vah) was so incredible that my husband has asked to go back and get it every year since at the Greek Festival in Greenville.
Well, you can too since the festival is coming up! It’s scheduled to be held May 16 through the 19th, 2019 at St. George Greek Orthodox Church in downtown Greenville, which is very close to The Children’s Museum of the Upstate.
Why you need to go to the Greek Festival
For one, the Greek Festival only costs $1/person to enter and you can download a free ticket online. Secondly, it’s really fun because there is music, dancing, and a real sense of community. Thirdly, the food is worth it alone.
The festival has a big stage where different cultural bands play and local Greek dance groups perform traditional dances. The music is really upbeat and you can dance along or enjoy the performances on the grassy hill with your gyros and baklava.
The Greek Festival also has a great market in the plaza where you can purchase traditional Greek clothing, jewelry, oils, and other unique items.
Greek food is delicious
Let’s pause for a moment though and consider the food. I’ve been to Greece and the food at this festival is comparable to the delicious gyros I had over there. They are delectable, stuffed with lamb or beef with a delightfully refreshing tzatziki sauce (made with a yogurt base) and served inside a warm pita.
You can eat either inside, where there are many more traditional food options to choose from in a buffet-style serving area, or outside, where you can get gyros, souvlaki, or tiropita, and of course, baklava. They also have hot dogs and hamburgers. Or go for the baklava sundae if you’re feeling extra feisty.
Fun for kids at Greek Festival
The festival does have a designated area for bounce houses and smaller carnival-type rides for kids, which you can purchase tickets for. They also have face painters, which also charge for their services.
But kids will really love the vibe and music of the festival. It’s truly delightful to watch the musicians and folk dancers or dance along yourself. We did the rides the first year we went with the kids but just enjoyed the music and atmosphere with them the years after that. And bribed them with food.
What you need to know about Greek Festival
If you bring any bags inside the festival, they need to be clear. This is a new rule that will be enforced at the festival this year.
There is free parking around the church or at Heritage Green for a small fee. There are traffic signs and police officers to direct traffic around the festival and you can also park in any of the parking garages nearby for around $6.
They sell meals and desserts to go as well, which really puts this festival over the top. Check out the drive thru menu here, which is open 10:30 am – 8 pm on Thursday and Friday. You can also call in your order to 864.233.8531.
Greenville Greek Festival
St. George Greek Orthodox Church
406 North Academy Street, Greenville