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Rain or Shine, Durham's Greek Festival Awaits Your Appetite

Wes Platt

Wes Platt

— 2 min read
Rain or Shine, Durham's Greek Festival Awaits Your Appetite

It’s time again for Durham’s annual Greek Festival at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church!

The food, arts and crafts, vendors, and the dancers are all non-denominational at this event, which runs from 11 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 11 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Everyone is welcome. Admission is free.

“Greeks are famous for their hospitality,” said event chairperson George Glekas. “We look forward to welcoming one and all to the Durham Greek Festival. Opa!”

Visitors can get take-out or dine under an outdoor tent, enjoying such fare as:

  • Gyros.
  • Grilled chicken pita wraps.
  • Spanikopita.
  • Pastitsio.
  • Stuffed grape leaves with tzatziki sauce.
  • Desserts, including baklava, galaktoboureko, loukemades, and baklava ice cream sundaes.

Marketplace vendors will offer Greek groceries, jewelry, fashions, olive wood kitchenware, and the award-winning St. Barbara community cookbook, The Grecian Plate.

The children of St. Barbara’s church community will perform a few times during the weekend, showing off the iconic Mediterranean dances they’ve been practicing all spring.

Children perform traditional Greek dances during the annual festival at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church. Photo: Wes Platt.

“Our St. Barbara’s Greek Orthodox Church youth pour their hearts and energy into continuing the tradition of Greek dancing,” said dance coach Hrisavgi Kondolis-Mangum. “Families spend countless Saturday afternoons at the church so their children can learn different traditional dances from all over Greece. They look forward to bringing kefi (joy) and seeing everyone who comes out this weekend!”

Visitors also are invited to take a tour of the Byzantine-style domed church, including the new colorful iconography that’s been installed in the dome and along the walls of the sanctuary.

“People come for our food, but they stay for the fun and a true Greek cultural experience,” said Demetra Vlachos, who helps coordinate the festival.

The church is at 8306 N.C. Hwy. 751, about one-half mile south of Interstate 40 Exit 274.

Editor’s Note: Full disclosure, I’m a parishioner, a member of the Parish Council at St. Barbara, father of two dancers, husband of a Sunday School teacher, and a festival participant – you’ll find me at a table representing Southpoint Access! Hope to see you there.

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