The Minneapolis Greek Festival raises Hellenic in Uptown

Spanakopita, tiropita, and souvlaki on a stick were among the Greek favorites served last weekend at the 21st annual Minneapolis Greek Festival, held at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church overlooking Lake Calhoun.

Sumptuous goodies served both inside the church and outside included loukoumades (hot fired dough puffs), pastitsio (a layered Greek casserole of macaroni and seasoned ground beef topped with thick cream), and the ever popular baklava.

The festivities featured live music by the dance band the Levendes and the Callie and Chris Kalogerson Greek Band, as well as performances by the Greek Dancers of Minnesota-who perform throughout the year in celebration of Greek culture and history-and the St. Mary’s Hellenic Dancers, a newly formed dance troupe.

Activities throughout the weekend included wine tasting, cooking demonstrations, and a 5K Run/Walk with proceeds benefiting the Trinity Mission food shelf.

Also featured at the festival was a marketplace where festival-goers could buy local art by photographer David Hastings, wood carver George Effrem, and handmade cards by Mary Hilton, among others. Also on sale were specialty Greek food items from Bill’s Imported Foods, Theros Olive Oil, and Yaya-B, as well as an assortment of other gift items.

Sheila Regan (sheila@tcdailyplanet.net, Twitter @sheilacecilia) is a Minneapolis theater artist and freelance writer.