One of the best parts of the SLO Greek Festival is being able to experience the Greek culture through its delicious food. Greek Festival chairman, Marios Pouyioukkas, owner of Rock and Roll Diner, Oceano and Pismo Coast Village Grill, says, “Make sure to come to the festival ready to eat and just say “Kalí órexi” (Greek for Bon appétit)!” Enjoy energetic Greek dance performances, live Greek music, shop in the Agora (Greek Marketplace). And work up your appetite dancing, with dance lessons too.
The air will be filled with aromas of succulent grilled shish kabobs (Souvlaki). Be a hero, and eat a gyro! Entertain your taste buds Greek style with the Gyro (classic Greek sandwich with lamb or beef), Moussaka (baked layers of eggplant and beef), Pastitso (Greek lasagna) or Vegetarian dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with seasoned rice). Enjoy the ever-popular Greek feta fries, Tiropita (cheese-filled pastry), Spanakopita (spinach and feta cheese-filled pastry) and Greek village salad (with fresh tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion and feta cheese, with a delicious olive oil dressing). Your mouth will be cheering Opa!
Don’t forget to save room for dessert! The mouth-watering Greek pastries include: Baklava (layers of buttered phyllo, walnuts, sugar and cinnamon drizzled with honey), Kourambiedes (butter cookies dusted with powdered sugar), Melomakarona (spiced cookie soaked in a honey sauce and sprinkled with walnuts), Koulourakia (crisp butter twist cookie topped with sesame seeds) and Pasta Flora (Greek jam tart).
Besides authentic Greek food, the festival also offers Greek beer, wine and spirits. Adults can enjoy Ouzo (anise-flavored aperitif), Metaxa (amber spirit made with aged distillates and Muscat wine) and three signature Greek cocktails. Also available for purchase are water and soft drinks.
Founded by the members of St. Andrew the Apostle Greek Orthodox Church, the SLO Greek Festival serves as a way for church members to share their culture with San Luis Obispo and beyond. This family-friendly event is a fundraiser for St. Andrew’s, which supports several charitable groups in San Luis Obispo County. A portion of the proceeds from this year’s Greek Festival will benefit the SLO Noor Foundation and the SLO Food Bank
Highlights of the 2-day festival include:
- Authentic Greek food and pastries
- Beer, wine, specialty Greek cocktails
- Greek music and dancing
- Performances by traditional Greek dance groups
- Hellenic cultural booth
- Community booth
- A marketplace with unique gifts and souvenirs
For more information, visit our website at www.greekfestivalslo.com and follow our festival preparations on Facebook.