Greek American festival gets going in Toledo

The Greek-American Festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Toledo.

Wyatt Karch of Sylvania clutched a dollar bill as he dashed away from a food stand with his grandmother in tow.

“I am going to buy a toy and have my face painted,” the 5-year-old Rising Star Academy kindergartner said. “I just had a cookie and a chocolate [pastry]. I am having fun.”

The boy and his grandmother, Penny Karch of Toledo, were among dozens of people who came to the 47th annual Greek-American Festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 740 North Superior St., as the three-day event got going Friday afternoon.

The pair walked past a line of tables where several people dug into their food, with some conversing over the sounds of Greek music.

“This souvlaki pork is very tender and delicious,” said Diana Snyder, 48, of Toledo, one of the eaters. “And the music is nice.”

Ms. Snyder said it was her first time back at the festival after a recent move to downtown Toledo after having lived in Holland for 20 years. She said she remembers the festival grounds packed with people at night, adding that she expects the crowds to hit the festival later in the day.

“I wish I could stay longer,” she said. “But I need to go home and let my dog out.”

While Ms. Snyder enjoyed her meal, others milled around vendor booths with displays of souvenirs, costume jewelry, T-shirts, and paintings. There were also language and religious education booths.

Among the traditionally busiest places on the grounds was a coffee stand where American and Greek coffees were served, with numerous Greek pastries offered at a stand nearby. There were loukoumathes, baklava, kourambiethes, and koulourakia.

Besides pork souvlaki, food at the festival also included tiropitas, moussaka, spanakopita, shish kabob, chicken oregano, dolmathes, rice pilaf, and pastichio. There also were gyros, lamb shank, saganaki, or flaming cheese, Greek salad, rice pudding, and Greek pizza.

Entertainment Friday was by Mythos, with Greek dancing performances by the Asteria, the Olympians, and the Hellenic Dancers.

The program also includes live cathederal tours and Greek language and cultural presentations.

Children’s activities feature rides and face painting.

Contact Mike Sigov at sigov@theblade.com, 419-724-6089, or on Twitter @mikesigovblade.