54TH ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL

NEW DATE: October 6, 7, 8

NEW LOCATION: 616 Alhambra Blvd (across from McKinley Park) at the Greek Orthodox Church new indoor/outdoor event center

The Sacramento Greek Festival is a treasured local tradition celebrating the delicious food, wine and vibrant culture of Greece. This year, the Festival is moving "back to the block" on Alhambra in East Sacramento where it all started more than fifty years ago. In the spirit of the Greek tradition, we'll invite you "into our home" at the Greek Orthodox Church where all future Festivals will take place. Our brand new indoor/outdoor facility will allow us to host a "panigiri" - a centuries-old tradition held outdoors in villages throughout Greece with live music, dancing under the stars and delicious food.
 
Four generations of volunteers - about 400 people total - will come together to put on the 2017 Greek Festival. New this year, we'll have bike parking and free shuttle service. All proceeds support parish outreach, youth programs and local charities. Doors open Friday, October 6th at 11am (admission is free until 3pm!) and doors close at 10pm. On Saturday we're open noon to 10pm and Sunday noon to 8pm. Admission is $5 for adults  and kids under 12 are free. 

Highlights:

* "Kusina" (kitchen) - farm-to-fork food court featuring homemade Greek specialties like "spanakopeta" (layers of baked phyllo, feta and spinach)

* "Psistaria" (grill) - outdoor BBQ serving up irresistible lamb chops prepared with Greek spices and lemon
* "Taverna" (bar) -  Greek wines, imported specialty sodas and the very popular Mythos beer

* "Zaharoplastion" (pastry shop) - honey and butter-drizzled baklava, fried honey-dipped loukoumades and much more

* "Kafenion" (cafe) - traditional Greek coffee (it will keep you up all night!) and delicious chilled coffee drinks that are all the rage on the Greek Islands

* "Mezedes (appetizers) - small bites you can't get enough of like "saganaki" (flaming fried cheese)

* “Plaka” (market place) -  featuring authentic Greek olive oil, unique jewelry, paintings and much more

*  Loukoumada Eating contest!!  Back by popular demand every night of the Festival. How many fried, honey-dipped dough balls can you eat? 

*  Traditional Greek Dance performances by our local youth groups.

*  Famed local artist Gregory Kondos will return to sign a special-edition poster created for the Greek Festival. 

*  Live Greek music and dancing…OPA!

*  Cooking demos featuring our most popular pastries and specialties 

*  Kids Zone activity area 

*  FREE Greek dancing lessons

*  FREE shuttle service 

*  FREE bike parking

Fun Facts:

* It takes 800 pounds of butter to put on the Greek Festival

* We roll 6,000 domathes (stuffed grape leaves)

* 6,400 spanakopitas and tiropetas are consumed at the Greek Festival 

* 400 volunteers are needed 

* Some volunteers have 4 generations of their family working at the Greek Festival