Come to the Greek Festival this weekend

By KEPHERD DANIEL kdaniel@liherald.com

The Greek Orthodox Panaghia Church of Island Park hosts a Greek food and music festival from Aug. 17 to 20. The festivities will include games, food, dancing raffles, and music including live music from Melodia Band a progressive band that performs modern and traditional Greek, Italian, and English music.

The Greek cuisine will be on full display including Chicken and Pork Souvlaki sandwiches, Gyro Sandwiches, Greek Salad, Spinach pies, Shrimp Santorini, Greek Honey Balls, Baklava, and many more Greek pastries. Money raised from the festival will go towards various programs within the Island Park community, such as Senior Citizen programs, Youth programs, Young Adults and Professionals groups, Greek Language School, and Sunday school.

Panaghia of Island Park Greek Orthodox Church also has a large Lady’s Philanthropy Group that raises money for many various charities and raises money for over 30 worldwide organizations. Due to Covid, the attendance for the festival had gone down drastically but Father George Kazoulis of the Greek Orthodox Church had a very successful festival in 2022.

“The Church Festival did very well due to our generous sponsors and donations from our parishioners,” he said.

“Our neighbors look forward to our festival every year, they enjoy the food, shopping desserts, rides, music, and hospitality.”

The Parish Priest, Parish Council, sponsors, Festival administrator Geor-

Schedule for the Island Park Greek Festival

Thursday 8/17 from 5-10 p.m.

Friday 8/18 from 5-11 p.m.

Saturday 8/19 from 12-11 p.m.

Sunday 8/20 from 12-9 p.m.

gia Papathanasiou and family volunteers have helped organize this year’s festival. Based on the work the church has put in this year to organize the festival they expect larger numbers from last year.

“It’s hard work but because it’s for a good cause everyone works hard,” said Kazoulis. “We thank the Village of Island Park and our Mayor Michael McGinty for all their support. We also would like to thank the Island Park Fire Department for their assistance. Island Park and our neighbors look forward to the festival, they enjoy our culture, music, and food. The Greek community enjoys the nostalgia the festival brings of their homeland.”