BELLEVIEW, FL (352today.com) – The St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church’s Greek Festival is underway for its 24th year.

The festival includes three days of all things Greek including food, music and dance. There will also be a world bazaar, clowns, and hourly door prizes. They promise a great time for the entire family!

The Greek pastries are always very popular. Vivian Badami gave 352today a brief tour of just some of the selections available for purchase.

“One of our favorite pastries is our baklava. It is a very traditional Greek pastry which is made with phyllo dough, walnuts and honey and everybody asks for it. It is very delicious,” said Badami. “This is called diples and it is rolled out dough that is deep fried with honey and walnuts and it is very flaky and delicious. Another item we have is called kataifi and it is shredded phyllo dough with walnuts and honey and is very delicious. Everything we have is very delicious.”

An assortment of fresh pastries for sale at the 24th annual Greek Festival. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today
Vivian Badami holds up a loaf of tsoureki, a Greek sweet bread. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today
The Greek pastries – especially the baklava – are a crowd favorite. Courtesy: Bill Cummings/352today

Greek Festival Chairperson Demetra Rucker says the festival continues to grow.

“It has gotten bigger every year. We started 24 years ago. We started in Ocala. Every year more and more people come out. We up our inventory and we still run out,” said Rucker. “Everything here is mostly Greek. Our lemonade booth is new this year and I hope it’s going to be a hit. It’s just a lot of fun, a lot of friendliness, a big happy family like the Greeks are.”

The church is located at 9926 SE 36th Ave. in Belleview. Click here for a map and festival info.
There will also be a variety of vendors, ongoing chapel tours, and a children’s activities tent. Adults can also enjoy the outdoor & indoor taverna where they offer Greek wine, beer and ouzo! When you go, be sure to say “Opa!”

Organizers of the event say besides helping the church while you enjoy yourselves at festival, you can also feel-good knowing that your participation serves an automatic contribution to several charities and community programs within the area.

What you’ll experience

  • Live Greek band & dancers
  • Taverna serving Greek beer, wine, and soft drinks – and NEW for this year: Ouzo lemonade!
  • Delicious authentic Greek food & pastries
  • FREE kids’ activities!
  • Local vendors & shopping

Admission is a $2 donation. Kids 12 and under are FREE! Parking is also FREE!

Festival dates

  • Friday, March 1, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, March 2, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, March 3, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.