Illinois, U.S. - Greek Orthodox Fest: Enjoy Greek food, dancing and shopping (VIDEO)

 

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Delicious homemade Mediterranean cuisine, foot-stomping live music, lovely gift items for sale, children's activities and games and lots of fabulous fun are in store for you at the 26th annual Peoria Greekfest.


The St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church community will go all out to make sure you have a wonderful time at its annual Taste of Greece Food and Dance Festival to be held during the weekend of Oct. 25 through Oct. 27. It is the only Greek festival in the Northwest/West Valley.

Here's what travelers to this mythical Greek village will experience:

Delicious homemade food such as souvlaki (grilled lamb on skewers, moussaka (baked eggplant with meat sauce), pastitsio (baked macaroni with cream sauce), gyros, calamari, roast lamb, salads, cheeses, bread and more will be served, along with domestic and imported beer, wine and soft drinks.

Live music provided by the Synthesi Greek band.

Enjoy American and Greek coffee along with yummy desserts like loukoumades (honey-dipped doughnut holes made fresh right before your eyes), baklava, cookies and other tempting sweets. 

In the "agora" (marketplace), shop for beautiful and unique gift items such as jewelry and art. Purchase Greek food products, souvenirs like worry beads, blue-eye beads, Greek music CD's, tee shirts and fashionable accessories such as pashmina shawls and comfortable gauze outfits that are perfect for our warm climate.

Watch the children, dressed in authentic Greek costumes, as they enthusiastically leap and dance to traditional Hellenic folk dances.

Learn how to dance the traditional Greek dances and win a dance competition.

There will be plenty of activities and carnival games for children's fun and enjoyment.

Compete in the Loukoumades Eating Contest; see if you can stuff your face with as many of these delectable desserts in the shortest amount of time.

Church tours will be offered where you can learn about Greek Orthodoxy and see plans for St. Haralambos' new church building.

FESTIVAL HOURS:
Friday, 10/25, 5-10 p.m.
Saturday, 10/26, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Sunday, 10/27, 12-8 p.m.

Admission: Adults, $3; students and active military, FREE
Directions: St. Haralambos Church is located at 7950 W. Pinnacle Peak Road - just east of 83rd Avenue in Peoria.
There is plenty of onsite parking.
For more information, call 623-486-8665 or visit www.peoriagreekfest.com . Visit us on Facebook: Peoria Greekfest-Taste of Greece.

Here is the recipe for the Greek Butter Cookies you saw on today's show:

1 lb butter, softened
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup powdered sugar, plus more for dusting on cookies
1/4 cup Brandy
1 cup finely chopped almonds
4 to 5 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
whole cloves (optional)


Preheat oven 375.

Cream the butter for about 10 to 15 minutes; add egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar, Brandy and nuts, continue beating. Add baking powder and flour, a little at a time. (you're looking for it to be a soft dough) Shape dough (if desired), add clove to the middle.

Bake for about 20 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet until cookies are golden. Once they're done, smother them with powdered sugar and enjoy!