ENCINITAS, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Head to the grounds of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Cardiff this weekend to celebrate all things Greek.
The 44th annual Cardiff Greek Festival will kick off Saturday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. The two-day event will be filled with live entertainment and food galore. Festivalgoers can expect to experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of Greece.
Prepare to be serenaded by the bouzouki from The Olympians, a Southern California Greek band that will perform traditional songs throughout the weekend.
Intricate folk dances will also be performed by young parish members wearing elaborate costumes. You may want to wear your dancing shoes because there will be guided dance instruction for those ready to bust a Greek move.
Never been to the church? Father Michael Sitaras will be hosting tours of the grounds and sacred buildings at noon, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. each day of the festival. Visitors can view in-person mosaics and get an up-and-close look at the church’s cross.
There will also be a a traditional marketplace featuring Greek imports, fine jewelry, artwork, and more.
Be sure to come hungry to this festival as there will be plenty of food and drinks to be enjoyed.
Attendees can expect authentic delicacies such as Greek-style roasted lamb shanks, lemon chicken, souvlaki (shish-kabobs), pastitsio (baked layers of macaroni, seasoned meat, cheese, and béchamel sauce), loukaniko (sausage), and gyros.
The festival will also have meatless fare including tiropitas (cheese triangles in filo), spanakopita (spinach pie), dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves), feta fries, and Greek salad.
Guests can also enjoy baklava sundaes and a huge selection of Greek pastries that can be paired with a specialty coffee or frappe.
For those of age, the festival will be offering tastings of Greek imported wines. There will also be plenty of Greek beer on tap.
The Cardiff Greek Festival will be celebrated Saturday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 10 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 3459 Manchester Ave., which is located a half-mile east of Interstate 5 at the Manchester exit in Cardiff-by-the-Sea.
Admission is only $4 for adults. Children under the age of 12, active military, police and firefighters with ID will receive free entry. Tickets can be purchased online or at the festival entrance.
Free parking is available at the adjacent Mira Costa College, as seen in the map below:
(Cardiff Greek Festival)
Whether your coming for the food, drinks or entertainment, the Cardiff Greek Festival is sure to be a good time this weekend.
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