Nashua’s St. Philip Church to bring back food festival during 50th year
It has been more than 1,400 days since St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church in Nashua was last able to hold its annual food festival in its traditional format. On Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20, the church will bring back its longstanding two-day tradition of Greek eats, live music, dancing and more. This year’s event, the first in-person festival since 2019, happens to coincide with the church’s 50th anniversary.
“We tried to bring it back as best we could to the original format,” festival co-chair Jamie Pappas said. “I think everybody will be pleased. I know that there’s a big buzz going on in the city, that people are excited that we’re back. And to be honest, we’re excited to be back, too.”
Since January, church parishioners and volunteers have been hard at work preparing all the food to be presented at the festival. Covid, Pappas pointed out, came along right in the middle of preparations for the 2020 festival. She said that, while church members have pulled off several successful takeout-only pop-up food events over the last few years, they have not planned a traditional festival post-pandemic until now.
A variety of homemade Greek meals will be available to walk-in attendees, including marinated lamb and chicken slow-cooked over an open fire, as well as dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves), spanakopita (spinach pie) and pastichio, a Greek pasta dish with ground beef and a béchamel sauce. The made-to-order gyro booth is making its return, Pappas said, as is the pastry table, featuring traditional sweet treats sold a la carte like baklava, loukoumades (fried dough balls) and all kinds of homemade cookies. Greek coffee will also be available to try.
“We’ve always had some sort of a Greek import table or booth, but we’re expanding it a little bit to make it almost like a marketplace, where you’ll be able to find things like ingredients used in the Greek cookies,” Pappas said.
On both days, local Greek-American dance band Ta Pethia Orchestra will provide live music. At 6 p.m. on Saturday there will be a special performance by Sons & Daughters of Alexander the Great, a professional dance troupe.
“We had them a long time ago and they are coming back again, so that’s exciting,” Pappas said.
As in years past, there will be plenty of tented seating to enjoy your food just outside the church, or you can take your meal to go. Rev. Paul Bebis, Pappas said, will be on hand to give tours and answer questions about the church.
Pappas said the festival’s return signifies the beginning of the church’s 50th anniversary celebration. A special gala is planned for Nov. 4 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Nashua.
“We are eternally grateful that people continued to support us through the pop-ups … and we can’t wait to open the doors and have people come in and visit us again,” she said.
St. Philip Greek Orthodox Church food festival
When: Friday, May 19, and Saturday, May 20, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day
Where: 500 W. Hollis St., Nashua
Cost: Free admission and parking; all foods and drinks are priced per item.
Visit: nashuagreekfestival.com
Event is rain or shine. Overflow parking and free shuttle services will be available from Stellos Stadium (7 Stadium Drive, Nashua) throughout both days.
Featured photo: Courtesy photo.
