Post by North 85 on Aug 20, 2009 17:28:31 GMT -5
This may not be the year for the big, fat Greek vacation, but you can still spend a weekend in Greece right in Old Town Square Fort Collins this month.
For the fourth consecutive year, Old Town becomes “Greek town” for the Northern Colorado Greek Festival in Old Town Square Fort Collins Friday, Aug. 21, and Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days.
“A ‘weekend in Greece’ is becoming a northern Colorado tradition every August,” said Katerina Neuhauser, festival chair. “In fact, we’re responding to requests that we expand the festival so we’ll be open for lunch on Friday, Aug. 21, this year.”
On the menu are gyro, a pita sandwich of seasoned beef and lamb served with onions, tomatoes and tzatziki (yogurt-cucumber) sauce; lamb sandwich, featuring sliced roast leg of lamb on pita bread also with onions tomatoes and tzatziki sauce; souvlaki (shish kabob) with marinated grilled chicken or pork; spanakopita, or spinach pie; tiropita, or cheese pie; Greek salad and much more. A variety of traditional sweets, including baklava, Greek biscotti, sweet bread, cookies such as kourambiedes and melomacarona, and loukoumades, a type of honey-dipped donut, are among the highlights.
Greek dance groups from Cheyenne and Denver, showcasing traditional mainland dances as well as dances from the island of Crete, will perform, and Greek dance lessons will be offered during the festival. An event for the whole family, the festival features a children’s entertainment area with Greek mythology, activities, books and crafts.
A raffle for a New Belgium Cruiser bike, a diamond pendant and many more items also takes place in conjunction with the festival. Tickets for the raffle are on sale for $5 each or six for $25 at Palmer Flowers, 3710 Mitchell Dr., and during the festival.
“Greeks are known for their celebration of life,” added Spiro Palmer, festival co-chair. “We love to share our culture, traditions, history and, of course, our cuisine. For two days, we bring to northern Colorado a delicious taste of being Greek.”
Admission to the festival is free. St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, which serves parishioners throughout northern Colorado, is presenting the event. A portion of the profits will be donated to Respite Care of Larimer County and the Eyeopeners Kiwanis Club of Fort Collins.
For the fourth consecutive year, Old Town becomes “Greek town” for the Northern Colorado Greek Festival in Old Town Square Fort Collins Friday, Aug. 21, and Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days.
“A ‘weekend in Greece’ is becoming a northern Colorado tradition every August,” said Katerina Neuhauser, festival chair. “In fact, we’re responding to requests that we expand the festival so we’ll be open for lunch on Friday, Aug. 21, this year.”
On the menu are gyro, a pita sandwich of seasoned beef and lamb served with onions, tomatoes and tzatziki (yogurt-cucumber) sauce; lamb sandwich, featuring sliced roast leg of lamb on pita bread also with onions tomatoes and tzatziki sauce; souvlaki (shish kabob) with marinated grilled chicken or pork; spanakopita, or spinach pie; tiropita, or cheese pie; Greek salad and much more. A variety of traditional sweets, including baklava, Greek biscotti, sweet bread, cookies such as kourambiedes and melomacarona, and loukoumades, a type of honey-dipped donut, are among the highlights.
Greek dance groups from Cheyenne and Denver, showcasing traditional mainland dances as well as dances from the island of Crete, will perform, and Greek dance lessons will be offered during the festival. An event for the whole family, the festival features a children’s entertainment area with Greek mythology, activities, books and crafts.
A raffle for a New Belgium Cruiser bike, a diamond pendant and many more items also takes place in conjunction with the festival. Tickets for the raffle are on sale for $5 each or six for $25 at Palmer Flowers, 3710 Mitchell Dr., and during the festival.
“Greeks are known for their celebration of life,” added Spiro Palmer, festival co-chair. “We love to share our culture, traditions, history and, of course, our cuisine. For two days, we bring to northern Colorado a delicious taste of being Greek.”
Admission to the festival is free. St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, which serves parishioners throughout northern Colorado, is presenting the event. A portion of the profits will be donated to Respite Care of Larimer County and the Eyeopeners Kiwanis Club of Fort Collins.