There will be dancing !

OPA ! That’s the most overheard phrase at this weekend’s Dayton Greek Festival.

This Food Adventure has been a fixture in the Miami Valley for 61 years. It is the perfect time for Daytonians to eat, dance, sing and celebrate Greek culture. It promises to be a weekend full of good food and drink.

HERE’s THE SKINNY on THE GREEK FESTIVAL:

—Festival location:
The grounds of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church
500 Belmonte Park North
(next to the Dayton Art Institute)

Preparing Desserts

Festival Hours:

Friday, September 6 11 am to 11 pm
Saturday, September 7 11 am to 11 pm
Sunday, September 8 11 am to 6 pm

— Friday 11am- 5pm admission is free
5 – 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday all day, admission is $2.

GREEK FEST ATTRACTIONS:

There will be live music !

Food and pastries, imported beers and wines
Unique imported boutique items
Cooking demonstrations
Kids area “Zorba zone”
Church tours
Live music
Dance performances

PASTICHIO

MUST EATS at THE DAYTON GREEK FEST:

—PASTICHIO:
Layers of Greek pasta, sauteed ground beef and topped with a rich cream sauce (bechamel). This is a Greek version of lasagna. It is delicious and the flavor is unique.

—LAMB GYRO:

Lamb Gyro

Flavorful lamb, grilled and served on pita bread topped with tomatoes, onions and tzatziki sauce. Truth be told, getting a couple of these is probably our favorite tradition.

—LOUKOUMADES (Honey Puffs):
Little “Greek donuts,” these puffs of fried dough melt in your mouth. A huge hit with kids and adults.

Honey Puffs

—GREEK LAMB SHANK DINNER:
Delicious roasted lamb shank served with rice pilaf, green beans, Greek salad and bread. This is the big specialty of the festival.

—TRIGONAS – TIROPITA:
Blended cheeses wrapped in a buttered fillo dough. The result is a triangle shaped pastry to go filled with hot cheese.

—TRIGONAS -SPANAKOPITA:

Trigonas

Spinach and feta filling wrapped in a buttered fillo dough. This triangle shaped dough appetizer is great on the go, but be careful, the spinach inside is hot if you get a fresh one.

—BAKLAVA
Layers of fillo with a filling of chopped walnuts and cinnamon, covered with syrup. This is the most popular dessert at the festival. Don’t leave without getting a few.

Lots of different spellings

—KATAIFI
Shredded wheat-like buttered pastry topped with walnuts and almonds, covered with syrup. This is the dark horse on the dessert menu. You need to give it a try.

This is one of Dayton’s top festivals. If you have not experienced it, you are missing out on some fun. The party is hopping on Friday and Saturday nights. Lots of fun and people watching.

If you do not like crowds, may we suggest you slip in on Saturday or Sunday at 11am . The crowd will be light and the food lines will be short. Parking will be easier too.

**SHUTTLE SERVICE **
We encourage you foodies to use the free shuttle service. The shuttle begins Friday at 5pm, and will run all week-end, from Grandview Hospital employee parking on Shaw Ave. Guests will be dropped off at the Festival entrance.

Thank you for reading this week’s Food Adventure installment. Find us posting food related articles each and every week, EXCLUSIVELY on Dayton Most Metro.

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