Festival time: Everybody can be Greek this weekend

Sudbury's Greek community celebrate the 23rd annual Greek Fest this weekend at the Hellenic Centre.

What started as a small fundraiser to raise money to build the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church has grown into one of Sudbury's more popular summer festivals. The event at the Hellenic Centre (486 Ester St.) is free for everyone.

“The Greek community in Sudbury is a smaller, close-knit one,” said event organizer George Malis. “Greeks settled here with the hopes of having their own church and community centre and I think this event really highlights our group's hospitality.”

Greek Fest will feature Greek music, dancing, games for kids and traditional Greek cuisine that will be cooked on site by some well-known Greek restaurants around Sudbury, including Apollo Restaurant, P&M's Kouzzina and Gus' Restaurant.

“This is an event for the entire Sudbury community,” said Malis.

Malis added that while Greek Fest is free to attend, money will still be raised for the Greek community centre through food purchases and raffles.

Doors open for the festival at 4 p.m. on July 24, and 11 a.m. on July 25 and 26. For more information on the event, visit SudburyGreekCommunity.ca.