“My Big Fat Greek Festival” celebrates Greek culture

LINCOLN, Nebraska (KOLN) – From decadent tzatziki to sweet, flaky baklava, it’s all there at the My Big Fat Greek Festival, which kicks off this week in Lincoln.

The festival, which takes place at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, offers church tours, delicious food, and live music and performances.

Organizer Fay Deligiannis Worstell explained that the Greek festival began 20 years ago as a dinner among community members. She said the festival has grown in popularity over the years and has gained more support from the community.

“Greeks love to eat, we love to drink, we love to dance,” said Deligiannis Worstell. “I can’t wait to have the dancers from Kansas City here to show everyone how much fun the Greeks can be.”

Dancers will perform traditional numbers that visitors can join in with, and tours of the church will be offered every hour, led by UNL vocal director and music professor Paul Barnes.

Barnes, who has been a member of the Church of the Annunciation for 30 years, said the festival is an opportunity to share the cultural and religious offerings of Greek culture.

“It’s a joy to sing all of these beautiful hymns that we sing together every week,” Barnes said. “And to share a little about the vibrancy of our community here in Lincoln.”

Father Theodore Roupas of Annunciation Church said the building has been a Lincoln landmark since the 1940s, when Greek immigrants moved to the capital. He said during the festival, residents could learn what Greek Orthodox means.

“It’s always a joy to share what Eastern Christian spirituality/mysticism is all about,” Father Roupas said, “and how it compares and contrasts with some of the other Christian denominations here in the state.”

There is a wide selection of homemade Greek specialties such as gyros, spanakopita and baklava.

Organizers said tickets were not required to purchase food as vendors accepted both card and cash payments.

The festivities begin this Friday, August 23rd from 5pm to 9pm and continue on Saturday, August 24th from 11am to 9pm.

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