St. George Greek Orthodox Church of the Desert & Greek Festival, CA

Description: Authentic Greek Food, Appetizers, and those heavenly Pastries. Greek Wine, Greek Beer & Greek Coffee. Souvenir Agora Market with Unique Vendors. Complimentary Church Tours with Byzantine Art & Mosaic Iconography. Greek Grocery, Book Store and Greek Novelties.

Greek Festival is a community celebration of Greek culture - from guided Church tours to Byzantine icons; live Greek music and traditional folk dancing; souvenirs, ethnic groceries, and religious items. But, the heart of our festival is the wonderful homemade Greek food and pastries created from generational, family recipes. OPA!

The members of St. George prepare an assortment of authentic and traditional Greek style foods to amaze the taste buds and make you fall in love with Greece. Back again this year; our signature Greek style, Lamb Chops marinated and grilled to perfection, served with Greek seasoned fries; as always that famous Greek Chicken with lemon juice, olive oil and Greek oregano; piles of Gyros (thinly sliced lamb in a pita with a spicy Tzatziki yogurt sauce; feta cheese and Kalamata olives in a refreshing Greek Salad. For your pleasure, the ladies of the church bake a wide selection of delicate pastries and deserts, including that world famous Baklava (no description necessary, Koulourakia (traditional Greek cookies), Kourabiethes (melt in your mouth butter cookies dusted in powdered sugar) and Galatobouriko (Greek custard wrapped in filo pastry, sweetened with light syrup), Diples (Delicately rolled, pastry dough, crisped & drenched in honey & sprinkled with cinnamon and walnuts). Also, found in the Kafenio (Coffeehouse) are Loukoumathes (feather light golden puffs of pastry, smothered in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon and walnuts) excellent with a hot, cup of fresh brewed Greek Coffee. To wet your appetite, we are serving Mezedes (appetizers) like those found at side walk cafe in the islands; Pastitsio (seasoned ground beef and macaroni topped with a tasty Bechamel sauce); savory chicken and succulent pork Soulvlakia (skewered and grilled over an open flame); Loukaniko a delightfully spicy Greek sausage; Dolmades (marinated grape leaves stuffed with rice and seasoned ground beef); Spanakopita (filo pastry with spinach and cheese filing); Party the Greek way with Greek specialty wines including, Retsina, and beers are available at the Taverna Courtyard, along with our famous Ouzo and Metaxa.

In any Greek village, the natural gathering place is the Kafenion or coffeehouse. Here you can sip both Greek and American coffees and iced Frappe as you enjoy the mouth-watering Loukoumades (honey-sweetened fritter pastries prepared in front of you) - all while playing a game of backgammon or Tavli. Greek and American specialty coffees are also on hand to accompany the delicious pastries and deserts at our village Kafenion.

Try the authentic Greek grocery to take home a taste of Greece to your kitchen. The Bakaliko is our answer to the old-time Greek general store. Here the shelves stocked with imported Greek food and sundry items direct from Greece, including specialty ingredients needed for Greek food and pastry preparation.

Cashless event. No smoking. No pets.

Admission: Admission: $5. Kids under 12: Free, Active US Military, Police, Fire, EMT Free with ID.

Parking: Shuttle available from Washington Charter School and Hope Lutheran Church.

Entertainment: Live Greek music and Greek dancing demonstrations of traditional and folk dances. Kids Zone.