It’s time to go Greek!

Authentic music, dancing and food highlight this weekend’s annual Central Georgia Greek Festival at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church.

“It’s a lot of fun to give everyone a little taste of Greece. We love to show off our faith, the Greek Orthodoxy and the iconography and theology of it,” said Emily Dermatas, festival co-chairman of pastry.

New furnishings in the church’s nave, narthex and Holy Altar will be featured in tours of the church led by Father John Stefero.

“The pieces are hand-carved and of the Byzantine style. We hope people will go in and take a look; Father John gives a wonderful tour,” Dermatas said.

Traditional foods available include entrees such as pastitsio, gyro and chicken souvlaki, pastries such as baklava, kourambiethes, loukomathes and koulouia, and beverages such as Greek coffee, wine and ouzo. Art, shopping, jewelry and religious artifacts also will be available from a variety of vendors.

Youth dancers from Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church of Marietta will perform Greek folk dances, and George Pete Karras, founding member of the Greek Tycoons band, will entertain crowds with live bouzouki music.

“The bouzouki is like a mandolin, a little larger, but in that family, and gives the music a little Middle Eastern sound,” Dermatas said. “You won’t be able to sit still! Everybody becomes Greek for a little while when they hear it.”

This story was originally published October 20, 2016 at 6:00 PM with the headline "It’s time to go Greek!."