ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — In Greek mythology, there are a couple gods responsible for storms. Whether Zeus, Poseidon or Aeolus cast down the winds and rains, the Greeks persisted. This weekend, Hurricane Helene is the storm god, and the persistent Greeks are the organizers of the Asheville Greek Festival.
This year’s Asheville Greek Festival will span 4-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28, from noon-6 p.m.at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 227 Cumberland Ave. in the Montford neighborhood of North Asheville.
As of now, the festival is still on.
“It’s kinda rain or shine,” said Sue Arakas, a teacher at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. “Fortunately, our tents will keep us somewhat dry. We have about 20 vendors that are coming.”
The festival is an all-encompassing Greek extravaganza. There are dancers who wear traditional Greek clothing, food vendors dishing out gyros and baklava and classes on Greek iconography, cooking and culture. The festival, which takes place at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, will also feature tours of the church conducted by Father Michael Diavatis.
Faith is a powerful uniting force in the Asheville Greek community, where Holy Trinity teaches Greek Orthodox Christianity, the oldest form of the religion in the world.
Arakas teaches a few cooking classes herself. She does four a day for the two days of the festival. Her classroom is decorated with Greek outfits, labeled for their part of the country, old maps –– “this one’s ancient,” Arakas joked –– and posters with the Greek alphabet on them.
The classroom is not only used for the festival. Arakas teaches kids there all year round. She is fluent in Greek and immigrated to the United States as a child. Sharing her cultural heritage is important to her and the classroom gives her the opportunity to pass it along to newer generations.
“We do our best to continue our cultural ethnic education,” Arakas said about the room. “Our kids, even if they’re not fluent, hopefully learn enough to be able to understand.”
There are a lot of kids to teach, too. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the sponsor and site of the festival, counts 130 Greek families among its congregation.
It won’t just be those families at the festival, either. Arakas said that all are welcome: those not of Greek heritage interested in the Greek Orthodox faith, Ashevillians who enjoy good Greek food and other Greek folks from all around the state.
“Greek festivals are very popular, and we do have some folks who are of Greek heritage, have their own Greek festival in their own town, but they come out,” Arakas said. “They can enjoy company and enjoy a new idea or something that’s unique for Western North Carolina.”
The Asheville Greek Festival is certainly a unique fixture in town.
“It’s a party,” Arakas exclaimed. “It’s a great party.”
The Asheville Greek Festival charges a $5 cover at the doors. However, $4 tickets can be purchased online at their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/avlgrkfest. Keep a lookout there for updates concerning the storm.
