Dallas, Texas, - Marking the 100th Anniversary of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the Greek Food Festival of Dallas is all about celebration this year. The festival will be bigger, livelier and more multi-faceted than ever with a theme urging guests to PartyGreek. The Festival runs September 25 to 27.
PREVIEW NIGHT GALA
The party kicks off with the 100th Anniversary Preview Night gala on Thursday, September 24th. Under the banner Greek Roots/Texas Boots, the evening will include a cocktail reception, first-call shopping in the festival marketplace, a seated dinner, Greek dancing and a drawing for a 2015 KIA Soul and jewelry from Sue Gragg Precious Jewels. Tickets for preview night are $150 and include drawing entry and valet parking. For information about sponsorship opportunities contact event chair Tina Yampanis at 214-207-0017 or tycampaign@aol.com. Proceeds from Preview Night will benefit Holy Trinity’s ministries, community outreach and youth programs.
100 YEARS OF FAITH, SERVICE AND CULTURE
“This is a special year for us because we are celebrating 100 years of faith, service and culture that began when our ancestors from Greece settled in Dallas over a century ago,” says Holy Trinity’s Fr. Christopher Constantinides. “They founded Holy Trinity as the center of their new community and today, 100 years later, the church remains our anchor.”
NEW BYZANTINE ICONOGRAPHY
For hundreds who tour Holy Trinity’s sanctuary during each festival, this year presents a special opportunity. Highlighting the church’s centennial celebration, renowned iconographer Leonidas Diamantopoulos will be completing installation of beautiful byzantine icons on the church’s walls and ceiling. His work marks the second phase of iconography that will eventually adorn the entire awe-inspiring sanctuary. Mr. Leonidas will be on-hand to talk about his work and explain the significance behind the sacred icons.
FESTIVAL HOURS
Open in time for lunch on Friday, festival hours – rain or shine – are noon to 11 p.m. on Friday, September 25th, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, September 26th; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, the 27th. Admission is $6 (free for children 12 and under). The festival is located at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest Road at Alpha, Dallas.
FLAVORS, SIGHTS, SOUNDS AND TRADITIONS OF GREECE
The festival brings the enticing flavors, sights, sounds and traditions of Greece to Dallas. A deliciously authentic menu of Greek cuisine offers choices that include a tasty new Festival Feast plate and a la carte favorites such as leg of lamb sliders, gyros, Feta Bites, pastitso, souvlaki, dolmas and Greek salad. Sweet cravings? Satisfy them with baklava, baklava sundaes, honey-drenched cinnamon-sprinkled loukoumades and a variety of pastries – all made in the festival kitchen and available to enjoy onsite as well as packaged to go. There’s also a Taverna serving varieties of Greek wine and beer.
GREEK AMBIANCE & ENTERTAINMENT
Exploring the festival Agora is like wandering Athens’ Plaka. There’s jewelry, Greek fashions and accessories, art, hand crafted artifacts, and a fully stocked grocery. The Agora is also the site of the festival’s popular cooking demonstrations, where Greek foodies share their favorite recipes and culinary techniques.
Lively and colorful festival dancers and music by the Greek band Thymios will keep the pace lively and summon all to PartyGreek on the dance floor.
There’s a quieter side to the festival, too. The Hellenic Cultural Center where Dr. Nic, resident historian and scholar, is available with fascinating insights and answers to questions. A visit to the Holy Trinity bookstore will yield books about the Orthodox faith as well as icons, CDs, jewelry and gifts. Across the courtyard: ongoing tours of the church and its byzantine iconography and performances by the Holy Trinity Choir.
Visit www.GreekFestivalofDallas.com for further information or call 972-991-1166.