Palm Desert Greek Festival brings authentic food and dancing to the desert

The Greek festival in Palm Desert took place this past weekend.
News Channel 3’s Caitlin Thropay was there to learn more about what goes into putting on the festival.

“Great food, great entertainment, and great Greek hospitality,” George Argyros, the organizer of the Greek festival told News Channel 3.

Argyros says the Greek festival gets bigger and better every year but it’s no easy task to put on.

“It’s a lot of preparation," he said. "It’s a community effort,” he added.

The festival is now in its 24th year and Argyros tells us it takes a whole year to plan.

“The food is baked and prepared by older grandmas and grandpas and they all come together and they start very early," Kris Ann Kontaxis, one of the volunteers said. "Their recipes come from their grandparents villages and we have people cooking that are 93 years old,” she added.

About 100 volunteers, of all ages help put on the festival.

“My favorite thing is we get to make the Loukoumades and put lots of cinnamon and nuts on them,” Eleni Castrale, another volunteer said.

Most of the volunteers are members of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Palm Desert. For them, the festival is all about traditions and their Greek culture.

“To me it’s celebrating my heritage," Tina Veroulis said. She attends the church and helps make the pastries for the festival. "Whenever I hear Greek music my heart jumps, my body jumps, it’s just exciting,” Veroulis said.

For more details on the Greek festival visit, https://pdgreekfest.org/