The 40th Annual Greek Festival in Castro Valley is scheduled for October 7-9, to benefit the Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church.

The Bay Area is fortunate to have many local Greek Church Festivals – San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Concord, Belmont, and Vallejo. Oakland’s festival is the largest event, that sets the example for all the others. The season starts in May, and ends in October. Castro Valley’s festival is the last one of the season.

The festival features live music and dance performances, including free dance lessons. Shopping and children activities. But the biggest reason to come is for the food. New this year, all entrees will be served a-la-carte. Items like roasted chicken or lamb served with pastitsio (baked pasta), fried calamari, marinated pork souvlaki (skewers), Greek meatballs, Halloumi cheese, Greek salad, macaronada (Greek pasta sprinkled with Mizithra cheese), gyro sandwich, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), tiropeta (phyllo dough w/cheese only), and spanikopita (phyllo dough w/spinach and cheese). Plus strong coffee, Greek beers and wines, ouzo and many other drinks.

And for dessert, a large selection of homemade pastries. Many aren’t available in Greek restaurants. But most likely you’ll be too full to eat anything more. So, look for the “Pastries To Go” section to buy prepackaged pastries to take home.

Hours:

Oct 7, 5-9pm

Oct 8, 11am-9pm

Oct 9, Noon-7pm

See the organizer’s funny promo video below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2XoqgAIYWE

Photo Credit: Stacy Poulos

• Tag: Castro Valley, dancers, Greek Festival, Greek food, music