Yiasou Greek Festival: 'A time of year when everyone can be Greek'
The Yiasou Greek Festival each September hosted by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 600 East Boulevard is an annual celebration that allows “Everyone to be Greek.”
The festival began in 1978, and has won numerous awards for Charlotte’s “Best International Event” and “Best Ethnic Festival” from several local media outlets. The word Yiasou is Greek for hello, goodbye and “cheers,” and the festival is a welcoming atmosphere for the entire family.
There is plenty of food that can be purchased at the event — entrance to the festival is $2 and free for kids younger than 12-years-old, but food is $3 to $7 extra — is well worth the trip. Roasted lamb, “Athenian” baked fish, gyros, spanakopita, loukoumades and more traditional Greek food is served at the festival. Perhaps the most memorable item served is the Baklava sundae — a traditional warm Greek pastry dessert covered in vanilla ice cream.
The festival has an “Agora” open-air market that sells jewelry, crafts and gifts, and also has a Greek Cultural Exhibit displaying numerous pieces of Greek art, statues, pottery and more.
There are tours of the Byzantine Cathedral, along with plenty of entertainment such as music by Kostas Kastanis, and dances performed by kids and adults in traditional Greek costumes on three separate stages.
The 33rd Annual festival in 2010 runs from September 9 – 12. On Thursday, the hours of operation are 11 am to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm, and Sunday from noon to 8 pm.
HelloCharlotte Tip: The festival has an outdoor “carry-out” booth on the corner of East Boulevard and Winthrop Avenue for those people who cannot stay for all of the activities.
Posted by Mike D'Avria
