The Phoenix Greek Festival Celebrates its 60th Anniversary

The Phoenix Greek Festival celebrated its 60 year anniversary at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral this past weekend.

The festival started in the early 1960s as a small, community oriented event after members decided to open the church doors to the community as a food bazaar and fundraiser.

It continues to grow every year, and is today one of the biggest cultural festivals in Arizona. Sandy Meris, Media Contact of the Phoenix Greek Festival, said people plan their October around the festival dates.

The festival this year featured dance performances from the church’s award winning dancers and musical performances by the band Synthesi, as well as Greek food, drinks, and various items.

A few dancers taught the audience traditional Greek folk dances during the second and third day.
Everyone grabbed hands and formed a circle around the dance floor while learning the basic steps to three traditional dances called tsamikos, kalamatianos and sirtaki.

The first two consisted of 12 steps each, while the last one was only six.

Some of the authentic Greek foods available included gyros, Greek fries, souvlaki (grilled chicken or pork on a stick), saganaki (flaming cheese), dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), moussaka (traditional casserole) and loukaniko (sausage links with orange zest and spices).

The pastries included baklava (phyllo dough stacked with honey and nuts), loukoumades (fried honey puffs), koulourakia (Greek Easter cookies) and kourambiethes (Greek holiday cookies).

The Agora Market sold food items imported from Greece, such as phyllo dough, kalamata olives and fresh oregano.

Vendors displayed jewelry (rings, earrings, necklaces), handmade bowls, clothing and artwork.

The festival is funded each year by the church’s own money, as well as sponsorships and donations. Some of this year’s sponsors included Bashas’, Budweiser, Charles Schwab, Shamrock Foods and Renewal by Andersen, according to the Phoenix Greek Festival website.

Outreach throughout the year helps fund the festival, as well as immerse the church into the community around them. It is a very important factor, according to Meris.

Volunteers also play a significant role in creating and running the festival each year.

“We have a strong group of church members dedicated to putting on the festival,” Meris said.
She emphasized how the festival brings people together, saying “it is putting camaraderie in the church family.”

She also said the cornerstones of the festival and the church are parea (your group of friends) and filoxenia (fellowship).

Members find it important to open the church doors to the public to bring the Greek community and other people together, Meris said.

The festival is an opportunity to share and teach Greek culture with those around them, she said, adding, “Our feet hurt and our backs hurt, but at the end of the day we are having fun.”

Learn more about the festival at phoenixgreekfestival.org.