Celebrating 50 Years of Greek Culture and Heritage in Kansas City

Fifty years of celebrating Greek food, music, dancing and culture will culminate at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation Greek Food Festival Sept. 9-11.

Located on the church grounds at 120th Street and Wornall Road, the festival, entertainment and parking are free.

The Greek Food Festival features traditional homemade Greek delicacies including soulvakia, gyros, domathes, spanakopitas, baklava and much more. VIP seating for easier access to food and drink is also available–call 816-942-9100 for reservations.

Call ahead carry out will be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday–call the Greek Food Fest Hotline at 816-942-5206 to order.

Imported Greek items from gold jewelry to embroidered clothing to traditional icons will be available for sale in the gift shop.

Live bands will perform and dance groups will demonstrate traditional folk dances and invite festivalgoers to join in the fun. The Festival will offer many children’s activities including a moonwalk and other games.

The festival is open Friday 6-10 p.m.; Saturday Noon-10 p.m. and Sunday Noon to 6 p.m.

Showtimes for performances of traditional Greek dancing are Friday 6:30 and 9 p.m. Showtimes Saturday: are 1, 4 and 6:30 p.m. New to this year’s festival, a Greek DJ will spin tunes from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday. Sunday dance demonstration showtimes are 1 and 4 p.m.

Tours of the historic church sanctuary will be conducted Friday at 6 and 8 p.m.; Saturday at 1, 4 and 8 p.m. Tours on Sunday are scheduled at 1 and 4 p.m.

On Sunday at 2 p.m. a U.S. Flag Retirement Ceremony will be conducted in memorial of the events of September 11, 2001.

The popular event is nominated for the second consecutive year as Favorite Ethnic/Heritage Festival or Event in the Visitors’ Choice Awards conducted by the Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association.

Greek Fest Logistics Director Steve Kartsonis, says with 50 years of history, the festival is a tradition for many area Kansas City families including those who aren’t Greek.

“We invite you to enjoy yourselves, clap your hands and say ‘YASSOU!’ and ‘OPA!’ to the sound of the bouzouki and the dancing of our youth,” says Kartsonis.

A portion of the festival proceeds will benefit Ozanam. Ozanam helps boys and girls with emotional, behavioral and learning disabilities through residential and day treatment programs, transitional living services, mentoring and school consultation. Visit www.ozanam.org.

Detailed festival information may be found on the festival’s Web site at www.greekfoodfest.org, on Facebook (Annunciation Greek Food Fest) or by calling the festival hotline at 816-942-9100.