Check out 'the biggest party in Elgin' at 38th annual St. Sophia Greek Fest
St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church parishioner Tasos Kalamaras has been going to the church since he was a kid participating in the church's Agape Dance Troupe.
The troupe is made up of people ages 6 to 18 and performs traditional Greek dances at the annual St. Sophia Greek Festival, as well as other events in the Fox Valley.
About five or six years ago, the troupe's head instructor Jim Kouretas asked Kalamaras if he would like to become an instructor. Since then, Kalamaras has been leading participants of the festival in Greek dances every year.
“My memories of doing it myself and being taught was very rewarding for me, and now to see that in these kids is very exciting. It makes me very proud,” Kalamaras said.
This year marks the 38th Greek Fest at the church, which opens 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday. It continues noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday at 525 Church Road, Elgin.
“We like to call it the biggest party in Elgin,” said Sieglinde Savas, festival chairwoman. “Basically, it's a whole weekend of celebrating the Greek culture. It's a fundraiser for the church, but it's also a culmination of Greek customs.”
The Agape Dance Troupe will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, and 4 and 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
“The kids are in full costume and they do a really nice job,” Savas said. “The whole crowd stops what they're doing and gathers around the dance floor.”
People can eat traditional Greek cuisine such as moussaka, gyros and saganaki. The fest also provides a drive-through for anyone who wants to get food to go.
“Our food tops most Greek festivals,” Savas said. “It's all made on-site, and it's all your classic, authentic Greek cuisine.”
After a meal, people can go to the Kafenio for freshly made traditional Greek coffee and pastries.
“After a beautiful and delicious meal you need to finish it with the ice frappé coffee or Greek coffee and something sweet,” said steward of the church Chrysoula Zinnas, who is in charge of the Kafenio.
“It's a really nice break for anyone, even if you're just coming for coffee or finishing your meal.”
Ice frappé coffees are one of the more popular items on the menu at the Kafenio.
“It's something different. It's very refreshing, especially on a hot day,” Zinnas said. “It's something they can take with. We customize it and people like that.”
As for pastries, Zinnas suggests trying the baklava sundae or the loukoumades sundae because of the combination of the hot loukoumades and cold ice cream. Baklava is a sweet pastry made of phyllo layers that are filled with chopped nuts and held together with syrup or honey. Loukoumades are a type of fried dough.
New to the festival are the numerous games and inflatable rides for kids, as well as the community showcases.
Kids can enjoy carnival games as well as a Euro-Bungee and bounce house with a special pricing for unlimited rides from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at $20 per child or two kids for $30.
Some showcases include a dance performance from Dixon Dance Academy in Elgin, a gymnastics presentation from Midwest Elite Gymnastic Academy in Elgin and a vocal performance from Gia Pappas, a recent graduate from St. Charles East High School.
“It gives the surrounding community a chance to show off what they have,” Savas said. “I think the community showcase is to bring in people from surrounding areas. Everybody likes to watch kids do cool stuff.”
Inside the church, there's a marketplace for people to shop around for crafts, jewelry, books and other items.
“People are going to love this because it's inside the church and air-conditioned,” Savas said. “It's a huge hall where you can shop. There's vendors selling all kinds of things.”
Admission is $2. For more information, including a menu and schedule, visit stsophiagreekfest.weebly.com.