For the first time since May 2019, the Triad is excited to welcome back its annual Greek Festival on May 13th through May 15th. With eased COVID-19 restrictions, community members of Greek heritage will be sharing their culture with the community, complete with food, dancing, live music, and opportunities to support local vendors. Located at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church at 435 Keating Drive in Winston-Salem, one of the Triad’s most anticipated cultural events can be revisited on Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
The Triad is home to the second largest Greek population in North Carolina, with origins as early as the 1900s. With the majority of Greek immigrants in the area having originated in the mountainous region of mainland Greece, it’s likely that the similar climate and weather patterns of the Piedmont attracted such a large Greek population. Having had to navigate a vastly different culture and economy upon arrival, Greek families overcame multitudes of obstacles and cultural differences to succeed and become a staple in the Triad community.
The Winston-Salem Greek Festival will sport Greek fare such as moussaka, spanakopita, souvlaki, and the beloved gyro, which will be available to all who attend the Greek Festival, along with desserts such as baklava and kokakia, which are decadent Greek cream puffs topped with a delicious chocolate glaze. Since Winston-Salem is home to Krispy Kreme lovers, visitors cannot afford to forgo ordering loukoumades, or balls of fried dough topped with honey, chocolate, or other sweet toppings. If you’ve never dipped your toes into the waters of Greek cuisine, the Greek Festival is the perfect opportunity to branch out of your comfort zone and try your hand at a new culinary experience. For those who aren’t fully comfortable enjoying the festival in-person, drive-thru options will still be available for individuals and families who prefer to order their food for take-away.
In May 2021, Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church hosted the Greek Fest Express over the span of four days. In order to keep attendees safe due to COVID-19, the festival was hosted in a drive-thru format, allowing the community still to get their fix of Greek food without risking their health. This year, as restrictions have eased, visitors can expect to see a resurgence of normalcy with crowds, lines, live music and dancing.
Months of preparation and hard work are put into making the Greek Festival a success each year. Dancers and musicians work in advance to perfect their performances, while bakers, chefs, and vendors must ensure that their products are up to par with what would best represent Greek culture to the community. With each year that passes, the Greek Festival helps leave a positive impression on more and more locals and out-of-town visitors, which only strengthens the Triad’s support of the Greek community.
For more information on event hours and sponsors, visit the event’s website at www.WSGreekFestival.com, or call (336) 765-7145 for any questions or concerns. Follow the Winston-Salem Greek Festival on Facebook for the latest event updates, photos, and more. Check out the event’s page on Instagram at @wsgreekfestival, and plan to attend the event, rain or shine.
