Panegyri Greek Festival

There are several events that we look forward to every summer, and one of those events is the Greek Fest! We were so excited to see it back in full swing Friday night after 2 years after a very light version of its former glory.

Location:

The Panegyri Greek Festival is located at the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 4376 Westlake Road, Erie, PA 16505. You really can’t miss it; you’ll notice the festival as you come from either direction on Westlake Road!

Property Description:

This event is set up in true “festival style;” tents with tables and chairs set up, many different stations to order food and drinks, and even a tent that serves as a boutique.

You are also able to go inside the Church to admire the beauty and into the social hall where you can get even more food and purchase gorgeous jewelry.

What to Do:

The Greek Fest is full of fun for everyone! If you like to eat ethnic foods, this is a wonderful place for you to stop and grab a bite to eat. In the outdoor area of the festival, you will find many good choices including the every popular gyro, Greek dogs, Greek fries, and pastry trays, coffee, and beer in the Kafenio.

One thing to note immediately is that you do need to purchase tickets in order to get food and drinks. One ticket equals one dollar, and you can purchase these tickets (with cash only) indoors and outdoors at a few booths labeled Food Tickets. If you don’t have cash on you, they do provide ATMs for you to access cash.

One thing we feel is a must eat at the Greek Fest is the ever popular Gyro! We got three; two that were lamb and one that was vegetarian. We were happy to see that the kind people working were about to make dietary accommodations when you order your food! The gyros were absolutely delicious. This year the tzatziki sauce comes on the side, so you can choose to put the sauce on or dip your gyro. We also tried the Kafe Frappe, which is a foamy iced coffee, and it was so good that we had to get another!

We also encountered a fun, unexpected treat; snow cones! You can treat your kids (or yourself) to a cold, icy treat in a tent to the left of the stage! And don’t forget the Greek dogs, Greek fries, and beverages located in the same tent!

Outside, you’ll also find a boutique style shop filled with treasures for everyone. This shop is filled with anything from hot plates to flower crowns, dresses to rugs, and small toys to jewelry. Check it out and take home a small piece of Greece to remember the fun you had at the festival!

Another fun activity outside that we enjoyed was watching the Greek dancers! The dancers from the Church are there to perform various Greek dances that come from all around Greece. It’s really interesting to watch the different dance styles and how they change throughout the different regions. When the dancers aren’t performing, the Kakias Family Band is playing and providing Greek music for anyone to hop on the dance floor and enjoy some Greek dancing!

If you’re looking for a drink, outside in the Acropolis Bar they are serving soft drinks, beer, Greek beer, ouzo, wine, and water. They also have coffee, cherryade, ouzo, wine, and Greek beer in the Kafenio.

There are also many activities to enjoy inside of the Church building as well. One of our favorite things to do is look at the beautiful icons and paintings inside of the Church itself. You’ll be bewildered with the beauty of this Church. If you have any questions as you look around, parishioners are avaliable to give tours and talk to you about any questions you may have.

In the Church social hall, the first thing you will see as you walk in from the main entrance is the jewelry booth. Here, you will find a lot of jewelry that comes straight from Greece, as well as a few pieces from Turkey and Istanbul. Everything is gorgeous, and you’ll see jewelry of all types. They have gold and silver, necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings; any type of jewelry you’re looking for you’ll probably find here! This is a must see for everyone, even if it’s just looking!

Also indoors is more food! You are able to purchase Greek dinners and a la carte to the right as you walk in. The dinners consist of fish, lamb, or chicken, and come with rice pilaf, green beans, a roll, and butter. In the a la carte line, you can get dishes such as moussaka, pastitsio, dolmades, spanikopita, and even a Greek salad. Our advice is to get there early, as the dinners have been known to sell out in previous years! (Keep reading!We have the menu at the end of this blog post!)

Let’s talk dessert! There are several pastries available inside to enjoy! If you’re a fan of walnuts, we highly suggest trying baklava! If chocolate is your thing, you’ll love the chocolate yogurt cake. They also have various types of cookies, cakes, and pastries to try. We promise, there’s a dessert for everyone to enjoy!

Who Can Go:

Anyone can enjoy the festival! From young to old, there’s something to enjoy for everyone! Strollers are welcome and we found it easy to push ours around.

Final Thoughts:

This festival is and always will be one of our favorites! This is a free admission event with free parking, which is absolutely wonderful! This year (2022) it runs from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9. There’s a ton of food, and in our opinion even the pickiest eater should be able to find something delicious! We also love how much entertainment it provides, the littles were thrilled and had a great time! All in all, we believe this is a great event and fun for the whole family! Check it out! Oh, and check out the menu below before you go!

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