Greek Fest is back for its 48th year in New Orleans, and if you're clamoring for a taste of Greece without having to leave town, this is the event for you.
From lamb three ways to gyro to souvlaki and so much more, you'll be able to get your fill of Greek delicacies during the three-day event.
Greek Fest board member Alexandra McGilligan recommended her favorite dish.
"I love the dinner plate," McGilligan said. "I love pastitsio, which is like a Greek lasagna with a spice ground meat, macaroni, and a Béchamel sauce on top."
McGilligan offered this bit of culinary advice to anyone planning to eat at Greek Fest.
"Just make sure you finish it off with something sweet," she said.
While the festival will be full of food, music, and fun, it will also serve as a reminder of the strong faith of New Orleans's Greek Orthodox community.
"The reason we are here: we are doing it because it is our church," McGilligan said. "Our faith is very important to us.
"We have about 350 families that are part of this community, and it grows every year with people that are moving into the area."
According to McGilligan, the Greek Festival is the major fundraiser that keeps church operations going. She says the festival will feature church tours so visitors can get a sense of what the cathedral and the Greek Orthodox Church have to offer.
"People can see the inside of the cathedral, the hand-painted icons, and listen to some Byzantine chanting, and learn a little bit about the Greek Orthodox faith," McGilligan said.
The festival begins Friday at 5 p.m. and continues Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Allen Toussaint Boulevard at St. Bernard Avenue. Tickets to enter the festival grounds cost $10 apiece.