Waukesha, make room for baklava and dancing—Greek Fest is officially moving to the Waukesha County Expo Center this summer. After two decades at State Fair Park in West Allis, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church's pre-eminent celebration of all things Greek is embarking on a westward journey. As reported by JS Online, the move is motivated partly by cost and space requirements.
Despite the change in scenery, Greek Fest promises to maintain its storied traditions and familiar hospitality that have charmed attendees for over 60 years. Greg Papachristou, parish council president of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, is keen to assure patrons that the devotees of Greek Fest will "to absolutely, find a way to celebrate with us this June 19-21," as he stated in a press release. The Waukesha County Expo Center grounds will accommodate the event’s new requirements with additional indoor space, which seemingly comes in handy given past weather disruptions. Papachristou told WISN, "This will allow us to safeguard our events indoors."
One of the driving forces behind the change, as stated by Papachristou, is to mitigate financial burdens associated with venue rental and labor costs. In stride with expanding the festival's footprint, attendees can look forward to new menu items, more comprehensive entertainment, and enhanced cultural experiences. Organizers cited by TMJ4 are enthusiastic about taking advantage of the Expo Center’s grounds to "grow and serve even more Greek Fest enthusiasts."
The church's largest annual fundraiser will not only feature its popular mainstays but is also planning on introducing some potential surprises. According to Papachristou, "They do have a big band tent right when you walk in, and we do plan on using that to bring in some even bigger entertainment." Meanwhile, Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow expressed his support through his office, remarking that "The Expo Center is built for large, family-friendly events, and Waukesha County is a community that shows up," in a statement acquired by WISN.
Dates are set, and plans are underway, as the region's Greek community and aficionados of the festival alike prepare to say "Opa!" in a brand-new location come June. Stay tuned as more details about entertainment, menus, and activities are released in the lead up to the event.
