Get your Greek on at two local festivals this weekend. Friday through Sunday, South Tampa and New Port Richey will receive a whirlwind of everything Greece, starting with the food.
Free to attend, New Port Richey's 31st Annual Greek American Festival is set to kick off every day at 11 a.m. Held at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church, the event drew more than 50,000 people last year.
Guests, encouraged to follow smells of the authentic dishes and sweets (and beer and wine) that await, may take part in cooking classes at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, as well as experience Greek music, dancers, vendors and carnival rides for kids.
Since it's a pet-friendly festival, a pet blessing will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, and the Sheriff's Office will also offer free fingerprinting to protect the kiddos.
The 35th Annual Tampa Greek Festival will begin at 11 a.m. throughout its run, too. At Tampa's St. John Greek Orthodox Church, festgoers may try traditional dishes and sweets — including made-to-order coffee, gyros, signature Greek drinks from the full bar and herb lemon chicken — for a $2 admission fee that will benefit LifePath Hospice.
Stops for pantry items at the on-site bakaliko, or neighborhood market, will help food favorites get replicated at home. People may even have a meal delivered to them from the festival through Doorstep Delivery.
After satisfying stomachs, the family-friendly event will also entertain. Live Greek bands, the St. John's Glendi Dance Group and the St. John Choir choral program will perform, while crowds peruse the open-air Mediterranean market, participate in a silent auction or enter to win prizes like $25,000 or a trip to Greece.
Guided tours of the church will allow for a break from the festivities, and Mayor Bob Buckhorn will get in on the fun around 1 p.m. Saturday.
