The annual Long Beach Greek Festival returns with live music, food, dancing and raffles starting Saturday, Sept. 2 and will run through Monday, Sept. 4.
Organized by the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Greek Orthodox church, parishioners and the local community will provide authentic Greek food like moussaka (an eggplant or potato casserole with minced meat), souvlaki, and barbecued lamb and chicken.
There will be vegetarian options like dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves), spanakopita (spinach and feta pies) and more. Greek coffee (kafé), krasi (Greek wine) and imported Greek beer will also be available.
The event, which has been around for the past 30 to 40 years is a fundraiser for the church, event spokesperson Thanasi Papoulias said.
In addition to food, the festival will have live music and the opportunity to showcase dance moves and watch Greek folk dance performances. A marketplace with non-food vendors and family activities like a video game truck and arcade will be set up as well.
For $10 per raffle ticket, attendees can enter to win a Dolce & Gabbana handbag, two Dodgers baseball game tickets, or a Kings hockey game ticket. Winners will be announced on Sept. 4. Raffle tickets can be purchased ahead of time here.
The festival will take place on church grounds, with parking available at the VA Hospital general parking lot off North Bellflower Boulevard and Anaheim Road. Parking and shuttle rides to the festival are free.
The festival will open each day at noon and admission will cost $5.
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is at 5761 East Colorado Street Long Beach.
