Dancing Delight: Attendees get to see and enjoy youth and adult dance performances all weekend, throughout the day.

Trumpet Call: Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral sounds the call for the 54th Denver Greek Festival on the grounds of the big gold dome June 21-23.

Engaging Kids: Festival presents diverse and unsurpassed entertainment throughout the weekend including these talented youngsters.

Eat, Drink And Dance Like A Greek At 54th Annual Denver Greek Festival Weekend June 21-23

Looking for a great weekend of fun now that summer is finally here? There’s no better way to spend a few hours, the whole day, or even an entire weekend than by getting your “OPA!” on and jetting off to Greece — without leaving the Cherry Creek Valley.

For the 54th year, parishioners are hosting the Denver Greek Festival June 21-23 on the grounds of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral with the big gold dome, located at Alameda and Leetsdale.

So make plans now to eat, drink and dance like a Greek. The event annually draws thousands each day throughout the weekend where the sounds of Greek songs and dance intersect with the aroma of homemade ethnic food. It’s fun for all ages, where families enjoy live entertainment as they sample delectable Greek food, beer and wines.

Recipe For Fun

Greek-style Calamari is back this year with a new and improved recipe for all to enjoy. There will be live cooking demonstrations using recipes which have been handed down through the generations and are available in the Festival of Greek Flavors cookbook for sale at the festival so you can make your favorite dishes at home.

The festival is also offering a “mezes” (Greek tapas) menu 

Musical Magic: There is live Greek music throughout the festival. The Assumption Cathedral Choir performs hymns of the Orthodox church.

near the bar to keep the celebration going while everyone is dancing and enjoying Greek music. In the festival’s Taste of Greece area visitors can taste such homemade items as tiropites, pastistio, dolmathes, meatballs, and spanakopita. Desserts include baklava, kourambiethes, galatobouriko, paximadia, koulouria and sweet bread.

Each cup of traditional Greek coffee is made-to-order, and the festival is even offering flappes, a popular iced coffee drink in Greece. A small army of volunteers produces the wonderful blends of meats, cheeses plus aromatic herbs and spices that draw newcomers every year and welcome back regulars. Even when people can’t pronounce the often-difficult names, they know what they want.

Music, Dancing

There will be live Greek music throughout the festival, as well as youth and adult dance performances all weekend, throughout the day. The Assumption Cathedral Choir will perform hymns of the Orthodox church and other Christian music in the Cathedral on Saturday and Sunday.

This year’s Greek boutique will feature authentic Greek jewelry, clothing, Orthodox icons and art, displaying the best of Greek artisans from around the country.

In keeping with the tradition of giving, a portion of the proceeds from the festival will go toward Sox Place, a youth services charity. Admission is $5 for an all-day pass, $4 for seniors and children under 12 enter free. Numerous discount packages are available for pre-purchase on the Greek Festival website. The festival is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday-Saturday, until 6 p.m. on Sunday. Information: thegreekfestival.com.