Greek Festival organizers preparing for 34th year

By PETE FONTAINE

Posted 7/24/19

By PETE FONTAINE Festivals, no matter what size, require hours of planning and hard work. Such is the case for the Cranston Greek Festival, which many people say marks the official end of summer in Rhode Island. It will return for its 34th year on

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Greek Festival organizers preparing for 34th year

CORE COMMITTTEE: Among the many committee chairs who are planning for the 34th annual Cranston Greek Festival are, from left, Koula Rougas, Jean Pliakas, Niki Kyrou, Theofanis Markos, the Rev. Father Nicholas Lanzourakis, James Silva and Kate Silva. Standing from left are Paul Kallis, Kevin Phelan, Evan Andrikos, Paul Pliakas and Jason Maintanis.

(Herald photos by Pete Fontaine)

LINKED LEADERS: Theofanis “Frank” Markos, left, long-time chairman of the Cranston Greek Festival, is joined by co-chairman Kevin Phelan, the Rev. Father Nicholas Lanzourakis and co-chairman Evan Andrikos at a recent meeting.

(Herald photos by Pete Fontaine)

Posted Wednesday, July 24, 2019 1:18 pm

By PETE FONTAINE

Festivals, no matter what size, require hours of planning and hard work.

Such is the case for the Cranston Greek Festival, which many people say marks the official end of summer in Rhode Island. It will return for its 34th year on Friday, Sept. 6, at the Church of the Annunciation, located at 175 Oaklawn Ave., and continue through Sunday, Sept. 8.

“Our core committee has stepped into high gear as they do every year,” said the Rev. Andrew George, the church’s long-serving pastor. “Certainly the task of preparation is a demanding and busy one, but they each grab onto it and move full force to be sure everything is just right.”

George, who is assisted by the Rev. Father Nicholas Lanzourakis, also explained: “On many summer evenings, our volunteer committee members are here at the church center reviewing, planning and charting out A to Z – or as the Greeks say, alpha to omega – to make for a smooth and successful event. The committee loves doing it, although afterwards they are clearly exhausted.”

Theofanis “Frank” Markos, the event’s longtime chairman said, said organizers expect more than 25,000 visitors over the course of the three-day festival.

That’s why the Cranston Greek Festival will have an army of 200 parishioners of all ages working at the event.

“Admission is always free,” Markos said “and we have a special parking plan that really helps alleviate parking problems we’ve had in the past.”

Through the generosity of an Annunciation Church member, the Cranston Greek Festival will again provide a free service that encourages festival-goers to park in the Cranston High School West parking lot and take a shuttle to the church grounds.

This year’s festival hours will be 5-10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6; 12-10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7; and 12-9 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 8.

As it has been through the years, Greek food and pastry is the festival’s main draw. Many people also make their way to Cranston to listen to authentic Greek music and watch the Church of the Annunciation’s award-winning, costume-clad Odyssey Dance Troupe perform during specially scheduled shows.