Explore the virtual Greek village and watch music, food, dancing, and heritage take center stage! One of St. Augustine’s largest and most beloved community events, the festival is celebrating 20 years running. Over three days, guests will enjoy everything from a barrage of local arts and crafts vendors and mountains of delicious food and fun kids’ games to dance lessons and food demonstrations and live music. And though all the activities involved may seem a little overwhelming, here’s the basic rundown of what you need to know about the 2017 St. Augustine Greek Festival.
WHEN & WHERE
The festival takes place from Friday, October 13-Sunday, October 15. Friday hours are 4-10pm. Saturday hours are 11am-10pm. Sunday hours are 11am-5pm. All festival activities will be held at Francis Field, 25 West Castillo Drive.
FOOD
From the Kouzina (Food Line), Psistaria (Grille), and Zaharoplastio (Pastry) to the Kafenio (Cafe) and Taverna (Beverages), the Greek Festival never lets you go hungry. Each stand has multiple options of traditional Greek fare – platters and Pastitsio, Loukaniko and Loukoumades – and surrounding the food are tables to sit down and eat. Throughout the day, chefs will demonstrate the proper preparation of some of our favorite dishes. The experience is not only immersive but delicious.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Hellenic Band will offer music for the event and has impressed the Florida community for over 25 years. They started off as a two-piece instrumental band consisting of Mike Menexis on bouzouki and Scott Smith on guitar. When drummer Dave Rice joined to make it a trio, it added a dimension that classified the band as a Greek-American combo.
Much like homemade Greek food, Greek music and dancing form the heart of the St. Augustine Greek Festival. Local dancers, belonging to different troupes and across all ages, show their dancing skills in traditional Greek garb. Dancing demonstrations of all types will take place and regularly throughout each day, the dancers will give lessons to willing festival-goers. A full schedule of the entertainment can be found online.
TICKETS
In order to ease the burden that the hurricane caused to the community, this year the Greek Festival will have free admission.
For more information about the event, visit www.stauggreekfest.com. Images via the Greek Festival website.
To find more events in St. Augustine, visit our online calendar of events!
