Greek Fest serves up specialty foods, fun

St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Elgin will keep the tradition alive this weekend with its annual Greek Fest.

"This event is a fundraiser for the church, but it does more than just raise money. We take pride in how we can give our community a sampling of our history and our heritage," event co-chairman Dan Savas said.

The festival begins 11 a.m. Friday with lunch, where Greek food such as gyros, souvlakia, moussaka, pastitsio, and other equally difficult to pronounce but tasty to eat foods will be served.

American food will also be available, but going to Greek Fest to eat a hamburger is kind of like going to a McDonald's at the feet of the Parthenon. What's the point?

And nothing goes with heaping quantities of food quite like children's games and rides.

Most of the rides are suited to the younger set, such as the choo choo train and obstacle course, both of which are new to this year's festival. The least gentle ride might be the Euro-Bungee, which is essentially a powerful trampoline that allows people to jump very high while being secured by harness.

St. Sophia's Agape Dance Troupe will perform its half-hour routine several times each night of the festival. The troupe's members will be dressed in traditional Greek outfits and perform different types of Greek dances.

Entertainment will also be provided by Personalities, an interactive disc jockey who will entertain the crowds with games and sing-alongs. Those performances will start at 5 p.m. and end before 8 p.m.

"That's about the time kids start going home, so the rest of the night is more catered to adults," Savas said.

Sunday night will be reserved for Pericles Productions, which will play a wide range of classic and Modern Greek music.

The hours the festival is open is different each day of the weekend. Friday is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., but then reopens that day at 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.; Saturday's hours are noon to 11 p.m.; and Sunday noon until 10 p.m.

For details, you can call St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church at (847) 888-2822 or go to St-Sophia.com.

<p class="factboxheadblack">31st annual Greek Fest</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m, Friday, July 10; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 11, noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, July 12</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> St. Sophia Church at 525 Church Road in Elgin, just north of I-90 and Route 31</p> <p class="News"><b>How much?</b> $2 to get in, $5 for unlimited rides</p> <p class="News"><b>Details:</b> Call (847) 888-2822 or go to <a href="http://www.St-Sophia.com" target="new">St-Sophia.com</a>.</p>