Don't Miss the Wondrous Pastries and All the Fun at This Year's Greek Festival

I call September “the month of the festivals.” There are festivals, fairs, and special events every weekend and during the week as well. This weekend, don’t miss the Greek Festival, now in its 29th year. As always, the festival features entertainment, dancing, and goods of the Greek persuasion (in the agora, the Greek market), but the star of the show is the food.

As in years past, you can pre-order pastries, but note that you have to pick them up before Friday at 5 p.m. All of the pastries are delicious, but if you’re looking for recommendations, be sure to some amglydotas (almond crescents), diples, and (of course) the baklava. The savory spanakopita and tiropita are both delicious, too (though you can get serving size portions from the food vendors at the festival). There are pictures of all the pastries on the website.

One pastry that's not on the preorder menu, but is my favorite is the loukoumades, which are very similar to yeast doughnuts, but are freshly prepared and then drizzled with honey and sprinkled with powdered sugar. I like to temper that sugar rush by enjoying some of the savory dolmades (stuffed grape leaves) and tiropita (a not-sweet, cheese-filled pastry). Others also recommend the pastitchio and moussaka, two hearty traditional Greek dishes with ground beef.

In addition to the entertainment and food, there are activities for the kids, including the church’s playground. Bring cash and a couple of bottles of water, too, to get the most out of the festival.

Nashville Greek Festival

10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 9-10

11 a.m.- 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11

Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church

4905 Franklin Pike

Admission: $3 (includes readmission all weekend)

Free admission for children 12 and younger and all military, police and fire personnel (with ID)

Parking, onsite and via shuttle: free