Newport News Greek Festival is on for this weekend — but with some adjustments
The Newport News Greek Festival is on this weekend but, like so many other things these days, it’s going to look different.
The festivities begin at 4 p.m. Friday at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church and will continue until 6 p.m. Sunday.
Volunteers, who have to pass a temperature check, will distribute food to attendees in carry-out bags at the church, where everyone will be required to wear masks and stand 6 feet apart.
“We actually split it into four lines, so everyone’s going to be spread out generally,” festival volunteer Bobby Garofalis said. “The lines will move fairly quickly unlike the drive-thru event.”
The church’s first Covid-19 modified festival that took place in August was a drive-thru style event and drew a large turnout, resulting in long lines.
Garofalis, who is on the event’s steering committee, said the festival is a good way to gather the community despite it not being the traditional Greek festival held in years past, which included dancing and live music.
“It’s nice to see people that support our community and church, and it is a way to keep ties maintained,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to hold a traditional event next year.”
Back by popular demand on the menu are the loukoumades or Greek honey donuts. Gyros, lamb shank and chicken dinners will also be offered.
“It’s another event to kind of get out of the mundane everydayness that’s happening in our lives where we’re kind of just going through the motions,” he said. “This is a nice way to break it up a little bit, especially since there have been no other festivals going on here.”
Plenty of baklava and other Greek dessert will be sold, but hurry before they run out. Garofalis will be regularly updating the event’s Facebook page about the availability of food offerings throughout the weekend.
Newport News Greek Festival
When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 60 Traverse Road in Newport News.
Info: 757-596-6151 or newportnewsgreekfestival.org.
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