LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Little Rock’s longtime love affair with gyros, baklava and Greek dancing is hitting a big milestone this fall: the International Greek Food Festival is back for its 40th year with two days of food, entertainment and fundraising for local charities.
Festival Chair Jason Alley said the festival plans to “blow it out this year for our 40th year,” with big crowds, plenty of food and a full slate of activities.
The festival raises money for several charities through food sales. Alley said Youth Home is among the organizations that benefits, along with the Ronald McDonald House this year. He said the charities help provide volunteers for the festival and, in turn, the festival provides funds back to the charities.
Courtney Argo, with Youth Home, said this is the organization’s 14th year being involved. Youth Home is a psychiatric residential treatment facility for teenagers and also treats children in Arkansas foster care.
“We are always trying to give back to the most vulnerable population in Arkansas, and this is such a great way for us to connect with the community, and you know, see our friends and neighbors, and just get together for a fun time and some really great food,” Argo said.
Food is, of course, the main event. Alley highlighted one of the festival’s most popular items: “I brought one of our most popular items, the Euro sandwich, which of course has our lamb and our beef mix, and then of course it has a feta cheese, tomatoes, a little bit of onion, and our sweet and our our tangy. It’s not sweet or tangy tziziki sauce.”
Along with traditional favorites like the gyro, the festival is adding some new options this year. Alley said the Middle Eastern booth will feature a “steak in the sack,” described as the festival’s take on a Philly cheesesteak tucked inside a pita. Other menu items include baklava, “Euro loaded Euro fries,” vegetarian options such as a falafel sandwich and falafel plate, and a Greek chicken dinner.
Beyond the food, the festival will include live entertainment and cultural events. Alley said Valley Arkansas will perform, and the festival will feature children dancers and adult Greek dancers. A fashion show is also planned, showcasing old festival T-shirts “from years past, all the way from the 80s,” with stories tied to the shirts as they appear through the years.
Alley said the festival is also a chance to share the community behind the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church and its multicultural congregation, while bringing people together to support the charities.
The International Greek Food Festival is set for Oct. 2-3 on the grounds of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church at 1100 Napa Valley Drive. Alley said people can pre-purchase tickets for food online. Free shuttle service and free parking will be available, and organizers are also planning a big kids area.
Dining and Cooking