Opa! Greek Festival returns after 2-year pandemic hiatus

Samantha Peko
·2 min read
Traditional Greek dancing was among the highlights of the Greek Festival held last weekend at the Greek Orthodox Church in Mansfield.
Traditional Greek dancing was among the highlights of the Greek Festival held last weekend at the Greek Orthodox Church in Mansfield.

Locals enjoyed Greek food, music, and dancing at the annual Greek Festival this past weekend

The Greek Festival was back. The Greek Orthodox Church on 265 W. Third St. was filled with Greek food, live music, and dancing on Friday and Saturday.

A white tent was pitched outside where guests paid $1 to get in. Considering the off and on rain over the weekend, most of the activities were held inside. Greek flags hung from the ceiling inside the church where a buffet-style spread with pastries, gyros, and Greek coffee were available for purchase.

The festival takes place around Saint Constantine’s Day, the patron saint of the church. Constantine was the first Christian to be a Roman emperor. His day is celebrated in the Greek Orthodox faith on May 21.

Greek flags and an American flag hang from the ceiling at the Greek Orthodox Church on West Third Street during the Greek Festival, held last weekend with a buffet-style meal of Greek specialities, live music, and dancing.
Greek flags and an American flag hang from the ceiling at the Greek Orthodox Church on West Third Street during the Greek Festival, held last weekend with a buffet-style meal of Greek specialities, live music, and dancing.

Bringing fest back to its glory days

Christina Aivaliotis, the chair of this year’s event, said she wants to bring the festival back to its former glory. The celebration was canceled for two years because of COVID. This year they were easing into it, which is why the festival was shortened from three days to two.

Despite the shortened time frame, volunteers did not skimp on the preparations. The event takes months to plan, Aivaliotis explained, because everything is made fresh. The dolmas, a lemon-flavored mixture of rice, onion, and, frequently, ground lamb, are wrapped in hand-picked grape leaves. Pastries are rolled out from freshly made dough.

Two church volunteers help serve Greek food at the festival.
Two church volunteers help serve Greek food at the festival.

Aivaliotis, who grew up attending the church and even dancing in the festival, said it’s a way to see people she doesn’t get to see often. “People come from all over the area,” she said. She said she hopes the festival will “give the community a way to get together again."

First timers enjoy festival

Cody Nicolas, a local musician, was there trying the Greek lamb and dolmas. He has lived in the area for 10 years but has never been to the festival. This year, he decided he needed to try it. He was joined by a friend, Ernest Mahoney, also a long-time area resident. Mahoney enjoyed an alcoholic beverage available for purchase at the welcome tent, while a live musician played guitar in the background. He has also never been to the festival. He recently accepted a job with Volunteers of America in Texas, so he said this was on his list of things to do in town before he leaves. “Mansfield has a lot to offer and I wanted to make sure I got a little bit of everything,” he said.

Karen Kelley and her husband, seated at a table near the buffet, said they have been coming to the Greek festival for years. She said it’s because they have the best food. “I’m just glad it’s back again,” she said.

All funds from the event go to help sustain the church and church activities.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Opa! Greek food, music and dance featured as festival returns