Greek Fest Plus

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Carol Griskavich

A busy dining area at the 2023 Greek Fest Plus.

A busy dining area at the 2023 Greek Fest Plus.

East-side festival fans breathed a sigh or relief when Greek Fest Plus returned last year after an extended pandemic hiatus. This is always a fun one, with its cultural scope and deliciousness including Greek music and dancing, tours of the church’s iconography at 3 p.m. each day, and an array of homemade foods — from gyros and fries to lemon chicken and spanakopita, and of course hot, honey-dipped loukoumades (Greek doughnuts). Hours are noon-7 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. More info at facebook.com/people/Greek-Fest-Madison-WI/100054461080330.

media release: Assumption Greek Orthodox Church is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of its annual festival, Greek Fest Plus. Known and loved as Madison’s longest-running ethnic festival for 57 years, this streak was broken by a three-year-long hiatus due to the global pandemic. The return of the festival in 2023 was met with record-breaking attendance. This year, the vibrant celebration of cultures, traditions, and community returns on Saturday, September 7 from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., on the church’s grounds.

Assumption Greek Orthodox Church members welcome you to join them for Greek music and dancing, delicious handmade food, church tours, and their much-loved bake sale. Fresh gyros, fries, and falafel will be available to enjoy with a cold beer in the church parking lot, while baklava and a variety of homemade desserts are set to be sold in the basement bake sale. Church tours exploring the iconography of the ancient faith start at 3:00pm both days, while folk dancing circles and DJ Apostolis call you to the dance floor. Shop our Agora for imported goods, and don’t forget the hot, honey-draped loukoumades!

“Last year’s overwhelming turnout of over 5,000 festival-goers was a truly humbling reminder of the community's enduring spirit and love for this cherished tradition. This incredible ‘welcome back’ not only reflects the festival's deep roots in Madison, but also our shared commitment to celebrating cultural heritage and coming together as one vibrant community,” said Christy Chappell Belkin, Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council President.

Greek Fest began as an annual church picnic at Hoyt Park in 1963. Over the decades, the celebration has grown into a weekend-long block party bringing joy to the corner of Seventh Street and East Washington Avenue on Madison’s East Side. Greek Fest changed the official name of the celebration to “Greek Fest Plus” to honor an increasingly multiethnic church community. The AGOC church family includes people from Ukraine, Romania, Serbia, Russia, Syria, Jordan, Ethiopia, and Greece. Don’t miss the opportunity to reconnect with culture and community, food and friends at Greek Fest Plus 2024!

Follow the festival's updates on Facebook!

About Assumption Greek Orthodox Church

Founded in 1951 by a small group of Greek immigrant families, AGOC is a landmark fixture of Madison’s East Side serving the spiritual needs of Orthodox Christians in Southern Wisconsin and supporting area schools and charities. AGOC is a multicultural Orthodox Christian community, and part of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, Metropolis of Chicago.