Halifax Greek Fest 2009 kicks off Friday, and despite a recession and even Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, organizers expect another strong turnout.
“When people hear about Greek Fest they tend to say – ‘hell yeah,’” exclaimed event chairperson Konstantinos Klironomos.
If past numbers hold true, Klironomos expects between 15,000 and 20,000 people to attend the three-day. But by focusing on wine tasting, Greek food and a new dance style known as Taverna, he’s trying to up the ante this year.
He wouldn’t give away too much of what the Taverna is but it’s “sure to be a big hit, a little bit of a twist in Greek style.”
The festival will primarily take place at 38 Purcell’s Cove Road by Saint George’s Greek Orthodox Church. There will be several big tents outside in case of rain.
“A lot of people think this is just for Greeks,” he said. “We do speak English, it is basically for everybody, for all of HRM. We want people to come see what it’s like to be Greek for a day.”
Greek Fest is the largest ethnic festival in Atlantic Canada that focuses on one culture or nation. Tickets for the event that runs through Sunday are $5 for a weekend pass, with free admission for seniors and kids 12 and under.
