It’s time to go Greek in Island Park this weekend

Experiencing the culture and cuisine of Greece is possible through the annual summer Greek Festival, and it’s right around the corner in Island Park.

Panaghia of Island Park Greek Orthodox Church at 83 Newport Road is throwing yet another weekend of celebration, and it’s free for all festival goers. From Thursday, Aug. 16 through Sunday, Aug. 19, those interested are invited to come by between 5 and 11 p.m. on the Thursday and Friday, between noon and 11 p.m. on Saturday and between noon and 10 p.m. on Sunday. (There is additional parking available by shuttle at the Full Gospel Church at 4101 Austin Blvd.)

The Church promises fun for the entire family via amusement rides, games and raffles. There will also be a flea market, guided tours of the church and live music from well-known Greek performer Yianni Papastefanou as well as an orchestra. And if not for the entertainment, then come for authentic homemade foods like pastitsio, moussaka, roasted lamb, lemon potatoes, Greek salad, gyros, chicken and pork souvlaki, spinach pies such as tyropites and spanakopites and more! Additionally, dessert options include loukoumades baklava, galaktoboureko and Greek cookies, and all eats can be washed down with imported Greek beer, wine and coffee.

“It’s basically just a great party,” festival administrator Georgia Papathanasiou said. The church started the tradition the same year as its formation in 1991 with the purpose of celebrating the “dormition” of the Virgin Mary. Papathanasiou said typically more than 1,000 people attend throughout the weekend, and noted that the money raised during the festival goes towards the church as well as the charities it supports such as the Ronald McDonald House Green Division, the St. Michaels’ Nursing Home currently under construction in Uniondale and the relief for the ongoing wildfires in Greece.

“Enjoy the Greek culture,” Papathanasiou implored visitors, “and the way we celebrate and the food and the music, while knowing it’s all for a good cause.”