Can We Get an OPA?
The Castro Valley Greek Festival returns for its 51st year this weekend, Friday, August 18, starting at 5:00 p.m.
This popular annual cultural celebration includes authentic flavorful food, great music, and dancing on the grounds of the Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church on 20104 Center Street.
The Greek DJ returns this year on Friday evening with a live band on Saturday and Sunday. Greek group dancing and dance lessons are a must, and everyone is welcome to take an informal church tour, meet the clergy and parish members, says Resurrection spokesperson Renée Taylor.
“Dance to our lively bouzouki music, taste our delicious cuisine, drink our wine, tour our ekklēsía (church), and shop our agorá (marketplace). Experience a weekend filled with lots of kefi (joy),” says Taylor.
Greek-style street food includes Souvlaki, Lamb Sandwiches, Greek Fries, Greek Sausage, Tiropita and Spanakopita, and of course, gyros. Traditional deserts like baklava, karidopita, koulourakia, and kourambiedes will be served, as well as loukoumades, bite-size honey donuts, which Taylor says are the favorite food of Greek Gods and Goddesses.
Greek wines, beer, Metaxa, and Ouzo will be served for those of legal drinking age.
Church parking is limited to those with disabled placards on a first come, first served basis. All other parking is available on the streets surrounding the church.
Admission for those 12 years and older is $1 or free with a canned food donation to the Resurrection Church Food Pantry, which is part of the "Feeding the 5,000 Project" in partnership with the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
Check out the Resurrection website for more information (resurrectiongoc.com/greekfestival).