by: Abbie Hrabar
Pensacola’s 64th Annual Greek Festival took place during the first 3 days of November and, like every year, it went wonderfully. The festival is presented by the Greek Orthodox Church, taking place on its campus over on West Garden Street. The festival includes food, vendors, dancing, and music. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, they have not been able to hold an official festival, but they were finally able to open it back up again this year with the support of the community. Because of the desire for the event to come back after the pandemic, people were especially excited this year to revisit one of Pensacola’s most beloved events.
Greek Fest is often known for its fun and lively atmosphere, with exciting and authentic music that gets people moving. There are people of all ages on the dance floor, laughing and getting lost in the music. As you walk in, everyone feels like family you have not seen in a long time. The event is free, so anyone is welcome to come explore what is offered.
The setup is fairly easy to navigate, with there being different areas for food, desserts, and vendors. The vendors offer and display things like jewelry or food. They have things like grains and rice set up on one side, while their earrings and necklaces are on another side. The vendors also have recipe books for anyone interested in cooking the authentic Greek food you can find at the festival. There are also things for sale made by some of the older women in Pensacola’s Orthodox community, such as crochet, doilies, or friendship bracelets.
The food is one of the most popular things there. The lines often stretch, but the hot plate of dinner and sweet pastries are always worth the wait. If there is something specific you want, you should get there early to get it before someone else swipes it up. Each dish is authentic and made by one of the volunteers, who are all smiles as they serve you and put their food on your plate. Once you find a seat and dig in, you can taste the effort put into the food. Whether you get a plate of moussaka or a gyro for lunch, the flavor is something that envelops you. The herbs and spices add wonderful flavor, and the food is always warm. The pastries are also a hit, they quench your sweet tooth and leave you wanting more. The crispy layers of baklava or the fluffy cakes of chocolate Kok are some of the most perfect sweet treats to indulge in after you fill up on the savory foods.
Other than the meals, however, one highlight of the Greek Festival is the performances. While people have fun dancing, they have just as much fun watching the dancers perform. They have performers of all ages in different groups, beginning with the elementary school children, then middle and high school, then the adults to finish it off. The performers always give it their all, successfully entertaining the audience and receiving blessings in the form of dollar bills tucked into their cultural garments. The dancers always perform with a smile, happy to show off their culture to everyone present.
Pensacola adores this festival not only because of the food or the dancing, but because of the family fun that it brings. Everyone always has a fun time being swept up by the music and the authenticity of the event. Not only is it fun, but it can be educational for people who might not know much about the Orthodox Church and the Greek community in Pensacola. The church is open for tours for anybody interested, and you are given the ability to learn more about the inner workings of the culture and the people in it. There are even some attendees who come to the festival to reconnect with their culture, happily sharing it with others. Attendees who don’t know much about the church or culture can take this festival as a chance to connect with others and learn as a group.
The Annual Greek Fest has always gone a long way since its humble beginnings as a church luncheon in 1959. Since then, it has become a well-known staple for families every year. During the pandemic people were itching for the next Greek festival. Now that the festival has reopened since its hiatus in 2019, it welcomes everyone back with hospitality and open arms. Its tradition is continuously able to bring everyone together and create a sense of community. Here is to hoping that the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church will give Pensacola a space for Greek culture for generations to come.