Greek Fest returns to Kitchener for its 41st year
A celebration of Greek culture is taking place in Kitchener this weekend, highlighting the country’s food, music and dancing.
The 41st annual Greek Food Festival returned to Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church for a two-day event.
Food being cooked for KW's 41st annual Greek Food Festival on June 10. (Terry Kelly/CTV Kitchener)
“We started preparation back in February,” said festival organizer Dimitrios Mitskos. “It’s an event that over 100 volunteers are helping out with. The ladies are cooking for several days and weeks and we’re expecting several thousand to really share our food and traditions over the next 48 hours.”
Attendees have a traditional selection of food to choose from, including souvlaki, gyro, lamb and Greek salad. There are also many desserts to try.
“Everything here that our guests are actually buying to eat is homemade. Nothing is prepared outside so our ladies are really cooking everything in-house here from scratch,” explained Mitskos.
Attendees at KW's 41st annual Greek Food Festival on June 10. (Terry Kelly/CTV Kitchener)
There was also cultural entertainment for people to enjoy.
“We have our Olympic brothers from Toronto, a live group that is performing for us today and tomorrow. This afternoon and tomorrow we have also our dance groups, which is four different age groups that are performing live for us.”
With a large Greek population within Waterloo region, Mitskos said this event greatly helps the community.
“There’s a big Greek Cypriot community actually in Kitchener-Waterloo, with I would say about 12,000 to 15,000 people here. It’s our annual event. It’s actually our biggest fundraiser for our Greek community here and we’re really counting on everyone to come visit us and just spend the weekend with us.”
Food being cooked for KW's 41st annual Greek Food Festival on June 10. (Terry Kelly/CTV Kitchener)
There is a $2 entrance fee but bringing a non-perishable food item for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region will also get you in. Children under the age of 12 get in for free.
“We’ve got involved with the Kitchener hospitals where we’re donating also for cancer treatment departments. Wherever we can help in the community, we love to give back,” Mitskos said.
The Greek Food Festival runs until 10 p.m. on Saturday, picking back up at noon on Sunday until 8 p.m.
Attendees at KW's 41st annual Greek Food Festival on June 10. (Terry Kelly/CTV Kitchener)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.