Opa! Go Greek at Two Festivals This Weekend

By Robin Wheeler Thu., May 27 2010 at 4:19 PM

What better way to kick off summer than with some warm weather-friendly Hellenic cuisine? With two Greek Orthodox churches hosting festivals this weekend, there's no excuse to not have some moussaka.

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Town & Country hosts its festival Friday through Monday, from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. In Swansea, Illinois, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox gets festive on Friday (5-10 p.m.), Saturday (noon-10 p.m.) and Sunday (noon-7 p.m.).

www.stlgreekfest.com

Come for the food -- but stay for the dancing!

Admission to both festivals is free; just bring cash for the food, which will be plentiful: lamb shank, souvlaki, dolmathes, and honey-drenched phyllo pastries will abound. As will Greek music and dancing, hard-to-find Greek items and, if you're ISO edification, church tours.

Can't make the festivals? Both venues host regular Greek meals, prepared by parishioners. Assumption does lunch every Friday. Sts. Constantine and Helen hosts "An Evening in Athens" the first Saturday of every month.

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Festival
1755 Des Peres Road
Town & Country
Friday-Monday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church Festival
304 Huntwood Road
Swansea, Illinois
Friday 5-10 p.m.
Saturday noon-10 p.m.
Sunday noon-7 p.m.