Come to the Spring Greek Fest in Island Park May 16-19

Island Park is preparing to immerse itself in a springtime celebration as the third annual Panaghia of Island Park Greek Orthodox Church Spring Fest, is set to treat residents with Greek culture from March 16 to 19.

The eagerly awaited spring time event promises to be a fusion of time-honored customs, entertainment, and gastronomic delights, all while championing community solidarity and charitable endeavors. The event will cater to all ages and interests with lively games that ignite friendly competition, the rhythmic beats of traditional Greek music, amusement park rides and a tour of the church.

Residents will have to prepare their taste buds for Greek cuisine prepared by the church’s volunteers, from gyros, chicken souvlaki, spinach pies, pastichio succulent pork to tender lamb skewers, savory delights such as spanakopita and moussaka, and a selection of pastries, including honey puff balls that promise to satisfy even the most discerning sweet tooth.

Money raised from the festival will go towards various programs within the Island Park community.

Panaghia of Island Park Greek Orthodox Church also has a large Lady’s Philanthropy Group that raises money for many various charities and raises money for over 30 worldwide organizations.

While the August festival remains a beloved tradition, the addition of the spring edition reflects the community’s desire for more opportunities to come together and celebrate their heritage.

The Greek fest originated from the commemoration of the “dormition” of the Virgin Mary, a Greek Orthodox holiday, the festival serves as a reminder of faith, unity, and resilience.

“After Covid, we thought it was a good way to get people back to normal,” said, parish council president, George Nikias

Nikias and Father George Kazoulis are involved with the organization of the festival this year and have been assisted by the parish council. The Parish council members are Pauline Alexander, Stella Arniotis, James Bogeatjes, Argyro Damiris, Jason Eliopoulos, Eric Fandaros, Nick Giannopoulos, Iakovos Kotjiapashis, Markos Markoulli, Christos Papadopoulos, Aris Papathanasiou, Despina Konstantaridis, Nick Tembelis and Christina Tzorbatzoglou.

Based on the work the church has put in this year to organize the festival, members expect larger numbers from last year.

“The community loves this time of year because its an event that brings us all together as a family. We celebrate our Greek heritage while raising money for our beautiful Panaghia of Island Park.”

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Nikias underscored its role in fostering a sense of belonging and renewal within the community. With meticulous planning from Parish Council members, Father George Kazoulis, and volunteers, church members say this year’s festival is poised to exceed all expectations.

“The past three years have seen remarkable growth in our parish, and with the steadfast guidance of Father George Kazoulis and the diligent efforts of our Parish Council and volunteers, we are extremely excited for an exceptional year ahead,” Nikias said. “To be successful we need all the help we can get, and this will help us grow our community for the future.”