31st annual Greek festival offers food and family fun

Central Arkansas' restaurant options have multiplied over the years, giving residents all kinds of ethnic food choices. But for those who want pastitsio like Yaya used to make, the 31st annual International Greek Food Festival is the place to go.

Parishioners and volunteers at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church have been working for months cooking, freezing and packaging foods from generations-old family recipes to give visitors a taste of the Mediterranean in Little Rock.

Publicity chairman Jamie Groat explains, "This is the closest that you can really get to that authentic Greek, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern food that tastes like your grandmother's."

The menu of items continues to grow and they've got new offerings this year: saganaki (a flamed, pan-seared wedge of cheese), Mediterranean chicken wraps, zaatar (a vegetarian pizza) and what could prove to be a popular treat, fried balls of dough called loukomathes.

"We call them Greek doughnuts," Groat says. "They are doused in honey syrup and sprinkled with cinnamon. We're really excited to bring them to our festival this year."

Those will join returning favorites such as gyros, pastitsio and souvlaki.

While the food may be the highlight, there are a lot of other things going on to keep visitors busy, like crafts, rides and bounce houses for children.

Shoppers can get lost in the Old World Market, which features collectibles, jewelry, art and clothing from around the world. That's also the place to buy pastries, frozen dinners, gourmet food items and the ever-popular Pete's Famous Salad Dressing (made and bottled at the church).

Outside, starting at 5 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday, there will be "lots of dancing and music and a wide variety of it," Groat says. Church members will present traditional Greek and Middle Eastern dances in between performances by other local groups including I Can! Dancers, O'Donovan School of Irish Dance and KinderSongs.

The sanctuary will be open throughout the festival for guests who want a quieter moment, but there will also be scheduled tours with the Rev. Nicholas Verdaris, who will explain the history and traditions of Orthodox Christianity.

Groat points out that one of the main purposes of the festival is to support local charities: Arkansas Children's Hospital, Community Connections, Easter Seals, Harmony Health Clinic, Union Rescue Mission, Youth Home and Wolfe Street Foundation.

In the past, guests have had to trade their regular greenbacks for "festival bucks" in order to buy tasty treats, but this year they're doing away with that extra step. Cash and credit cards will be accepted festivalwide.

"Hopefully that makes things a little bit easier for our guests," says Groat.

They also attempt to make things easier when it comes to getting to the festival. Groat admits that parking can be "difficult." So, rather than cruising for parking on the streets and then walking up and down hills, guests should plan to park at one of the nearby trolley pick-up sites and ride in:

• Agape Church, 701 Napa Valley Drive

• Asbury United Methodist Church, 1700 Napa Valley Drive

• Pulaski Academy, 12601 Hinson Road

Time-strapped guests who want to satisfy their hummus and baklava cravings in a hurry can always just do the festival drive-thru, which has a shortened menu. And this year, visitors don't even have to drive to the church. The festival has partnered with Chef Shuttle, which will deliver any items from the drive-thru menu. See Transitions on Page 8E for more information.

Those who want to extend the Greek food experience can buy a gyro party pack -- a to-go pack with supplies for 10 gyros.

Of course, the full food menu will be available only for those who get out of their cars and walk around. Organizers encourage everyone to come, stay and explore the whole festival.

"Don't let weather, don't let the fear of parking keep you from coming," Groat says. "It really can be a full, fun-filled day of excitement for an entire family."

Weekend on 05/14/2015