Elgin’s St. Sophia Church celebrates Greek food and culture with three-day festival

St. Sophia Church in Elgin presents its 46th annual summer “Greek Fest” on June 5-7. Festival hours are noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday at the church, 525 Church Road, off Route 31, in Elgin. Admission is free and open to the public.

The festival features authentic Greek delicacies such as gyros, Grecian chicken, souvlaki, spanakopita (spinach pie), pastitsio, saganaki flaming cheese, and Greek salad. Then enjoy refreshments like Greek beer, Mediterranean wine and the popular Village Squire Mai Tai.

Enjoy a cup of Greek or American coffee and peruse through dozens of Greek desserts and cookie varietals in the Greek Kafenio where many traditional sweets such as Baklava and loukoumathes can be found.

Friday’s entertainment starts with DJ Yianni and ends with the John Panopoulos Orchestra playing all the hits.

Saturday features DJ Yianni and then Rembetoneria. Sunday wraps up with Greek music from Tony Kidonakis and friends doing a Beatles tribute. There also will be Greek dancing all weekend.

Cool off in the “Plaka Marketplace” inside the church hall where you can shop for crafts, jewelry, books, icons, clothing and other treasures.

Buy a raffle ticket for the grand prize raffle where you can win up to $10,000. For information, call (847) 888-2822 or visit stsophiagreekfest.com.