Greece Comes to Texas at the Kemah Greek Festival

 

The seaside community of Kemah, Texas, will be bursting with the sights, sounds and flavors of Greece during the Kemah Greek Food and Wine Festival, September 13-15, 2013.

With authentic Greek cuisine, Greek wine from Santorini, and craft and specialty beers, this family-friendly event will have activities for all ages and will feature live Greek music, Greek folk dancing, a Greek Pizza Eating Contest, kids’ rides, a grape stomp and other Greek Orthodox traditions.

Presented for the 20th year by St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church, the festival will take place at the 6th Street Lot at 604 Bradford in Kemah, adjacent to Kemah Visitor’s Center. All proceeds from the cultural celebration will be used to support St. John’s church operations and community outreach programs. Festival hours are 4 to 10 p.m., Friday, September 13; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, September 14; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, September 15.
To help get the community in the Greek frame of mind, the Clear Creek Winery will host a “Mama Mia” Movie Night on Wednesday, September 11. Along with a showing of the hit movie featuring the music of ABBA and Oscar-winner Meryl Streep, the kick-off party will include a ‘70s costume contest and sing-along. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. with the movie starting at 8 p.m. The Clear Creek Winery is located at 709 Harris Ave. in Kemah.

Greek Festival gates officially opened at 4 p.m. Friday, September 13. The fun will immediately kicked into high gear with the Opening Ceremony followed by a Grape Stomp Competition pitting Kemah elected officials against local media representatives.
Greek music will play throughout opening night. Featured entertainers, Thymios Partalas and the Papahatzis Greek American Super Band, will take the stage for the first time that evening. Known around the world, the Papahatzis Greek American Super Band has played together around the world for more than 40 years, and lead singer Partalas recently released a CD of original Greek music.

On Saturday, September, 14, the celebration of all things Greek will continue with the Toga Fun Run. The run will start and finish in the marina parking lot near the 6th Street festival site, and wind its way through the scenic community of Clear Lake Shores. Togo’s are welcomed and encouraged. The winner of the Togo Costume Contest will receive a cash prize as will the first and second place men’s and women’s winners of the 5K Race.
Also on Saturday, the School of Rock will perform. For more than a decade, School of Rock has been inspiring kids to rock on stage and in life. Founded as a single school in Philadelphia, PA in 1998, School of Rock has become a growing international franchise, operating 86 schools in the US and Mexico.
Additionally, the Spartan Arm Wrestling tournament will begin Saturday. The double elimination tournament is open to both men and women.

Other activities on the second day of the festival will include a Greek Pizza Eating Contest, cooking demonstrations and performances by the St. John’s Dancers. The Papahatzis Greek American Super Band also will perform several times throughout the day.
The festival will wrap up on Sunday, September 15, with more music, food and fun.

About the Kemah Greek Food & Wine Fest
The Kemah Greek Food & Wine Fest is organized by members of St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church and community volunteers. The mission of St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Church is to encourage parishioners and community members to dedicate their time, talents and treasures towards growing ministries that support the local community.
The church is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization supported solely by voluntary contributions from parishioners and friends of the church who share its vision. St. John the Theologian parishioners are individuals who live and work in the Bay Area Houston area and surrounding areas.