Photos: 33rd Contra Costa Greek Food and Wine Festival

Sunny weather, plenty of Greek food, wine and folks dancing to the rhythms of traditional music: That was the scene at the 33rd annual Contra Costa Greek Food and Wine Festival this past weekend at  St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Concord.

People from all corners of the county strolled around the church grounds deciding what to eat and browsing through a variety of goods offered by vendors. Some kicked back and relaxed with a glass of beer or wine, while others grabbed each other's hands and took to dancing circles.

“The objective of the festival is to share the Greek culture and Orthodox faith with the larger community,” said Father Marin Staté, of the St. Demetrios parish. “And it also serves as the fundraiser for our parish.”

Staté said money from the festival goes toward the youth program and other church annual functions. Part of the weekend's event will be used for the building of a church community center, he said.

“That community center will serve as a venue for people who are part of the church and for our neighbors when they need a place for gatherings,” Staté said.

“It will be a banquet, multi-gym purpose structure.”

Nineteen-year-old Yianni Yiannakou, from Oakley, attended the Greek festival with a group of friends. He and his sister, Maria, were raised in Concord and used to be members at the Concord church.

“We grew up here, in this church, when we were little and come back to visit it,” Yiannakou said. “I am here every year.”

Oakland native Anoushka Daska-Coyle, 21, said she has been to many other Greek festivals but was eager to try a gyro at this weekend's festival.

“It reminds me of home,” she said. And for those who don't know, a gyro usually has “lamb, potatoes, tomatoes and a cucumber-yogurt sauce,” she added.

Walnut Creek native Gary Schaub, 70, was convinced to check the festival by his wife, Maria Gounaris, 62. He was eager to try Greek food but was also impressed by the vendors featured at the event.

“It’s also interesting to see the various shops here and the items, and not just Greek items but very Mediterranean; Egyptian and Turkish and so forth,” Schaub said.

“It’s nice to see the variety of ages that are here, families and young kids and teens. It’s great,” he added.

Staté was at work Sunday making sure everything ran smoothly, but was able to enjoy the food, confessing his love for chocolate.

“My favorite food from the festival is the latest addition we made to the loukoumades, to which we added, besides honey nut, chocolate on top of it,” said Staté. “I am a chocolate lover so that’s a hit for me.”