{"id":26970,"date":"2017-05-26T07:00:18","date_gmt":"2017-05-26T14:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shescookin.crwcun8-liquidwebsites.com\/?p=26970"},"modified":"2017-05-25T14:20:37","modified_gmt":"2017-05-25T21:20:37","slug":"39th-annual-a-taste-of-greece-greek-festival-irvine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shescookin.com\/39th-annual-a-taste-of-greece-greek-festival-irvine\/","title":{"rendered":"39th Annual “A Taste of Greece” Greek Festival, Irvine"},"content":{"rendered":"

Orange County\u2019s 39th annual \u201cA Taste of Greece\u201d festival is a family friendly event featuring\u00a0carnival rides, traditional Greek food and pastries, a Taverna with beer and wine, Greek dancing, and more – June 23-25 at St. Paul\u2019s Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine.<\/p>\n

\"Greek<\/p>\n

More than 12,000 guests are expected to attend the three-day festival, which will feature traditional Greek cuisine and pastries, wine tasting, live music, church tours, authentic Greek dancing with lessons, and boutique booths reminiscent of the\u00a0Plaka, a well-known picturesque historical neighborhood of Athens.<\/p>\n

\"Taste<\/p>\n

Festival hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.<\/span><\/span> on Friday, June 23<\/span><\/span>; noon to 10 p.m.<\/span><\/span> on Saturday, June 24<\/span><\/span>; and noon to 9 p.m.<\/span><\/span> on Sunday, June 25<\/span><\/span>.<\/b>\u00a0Festival admission is just $3 per person<\/strong>, with free admission on Saturday, June 24<\/span><\/span> from noon \u2013 5 p.m.<\/span><\/span> for seniors 65 years and older. Children under the age of 10 are admitted free (with parents or an adult) throughout the three-day festival.\u00a0Free festival parking will also be available, with complimentary shuttle buses transporting guests from public parking sites in Irvine.<\/p>\n

Greek cuisine and hospitality\u00a0will be\u00a0the focal points as the festival will feature authentic recipes for traditional Greek dishes, delicious pastries and a variety of beverages, highlighted with a wine \u201cTaverna,\u201d offering Greek wine and beer.\u00a0The traditional Greek menu includes: Saganaki (Greek brandy-flamed cheese), Loukanico<\/em> (Greek sausage), Dolmathes<\/em> (stuffed grape leaves), Chicken Souvlaki <\/em>(chicken skewers), Grilled Lamb Chops (affectionately called “Lollipops”),\u00a0Dolmathes<\/em> (stuffed grape leaves),\u00a0Pastichio<\/em> (Greek lasagna), Spanakopita<\/em> (spinach and feta pie), Tyropites<\/em> (three cheese filling baked in phyllo dough).<\/p>\n

\"Taste<\/p>\n

Saganaki |\u00a0creamy Kaseri Greek cheese saut\u00e9ed in butter, flamed with Brandy<\/p>\n

\"Spanikopita<\/p>\n

Spanikopita| made with fresh balanced whole spinach leaves<\/p>\n

\"Loukanico<\/p>\n

\u00a0Loukanico | grilled sausage with Feta<\/p>\n

There will also be a\u00a0Greek\u00a0coffeehouse set up by Portola Coffee Lab to serve Greek and American coffee drinks in a traditional Plaka setting.\u00a0The Philoptochos, the church\u2019s philanthropic group, will bake around the clock during the weeks leading up to the festival to prepare traditional Baklava and other exquisite pastries.\u00a0Desserts include Baklava<\/em>, Kourambiethes<\/em> (butter cookie served at festive occasions – similar to Italian Wedding cookies), Loukoumathes<\/em> (Greek doughnut holes), and\u00a0Galactbouriko<\/em>, a sumptuous sweet egg custard layered in phyllo dough and honey.<\/p>\n

\"Taste<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Orange County\u2019s largest Greek Orthodox congregation, we are delighted to host a festival that offers an opportunity for the community to experience authentic Greek dining, wine, music, dancing and entertainment,\u201d said Father Steven Tsichlis, Pastor at St. Paul\u2019s Greek Orthodox Church. \u201cThis year\u2019s festival, our 39th\u00a0annual, will offer something for everyone with a variety of Greek-themed activities,\u00a0and\u00a0tours of the Church to view the\u00a0beautiful sanctuary\u00a0that contains\u00a0Christian artwork done in mosaic\u00a0patterned after ancient prototypes that are unique in Orange County.\u201d<\/p>\n

A family-friendly affair, the festival will offer free Greek dance lessons\u00a0throughout the weekend, as well as boutique shops, a variety of games and a full-scale carnival.\u00a0Event attendees can also enter an opportunity drawing for the chance to win one of five premiere prizes.<\/p>\n

For more information on the \u201cA Taste of Greece\u201d festival, please visit\u00a0<\/b>www.IrvineGreekFest.com.<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n