NEW ORLEANS (May 8, 2018) – The 45th Annual Greek Festival is putting on one-of-a-kind show on the banks of Bayou St. John to celebrate the New Orleans Tricentennial. We are proud to partner with the indigenous people of New Orleans with a re-enactment of Bienville’s 1699 voyages on the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain on Sunday, May 27 on the Festival Grounds. Members of the Isle de Jean Charles Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Nation and Bienville will ride a pirogue down Bayou St. John and join us at the Festival to commemorate the 300th Anniversary of New Orleans. Native crafts for the kids and other traditional items will be on display, as well. What a way to celebrate! Opa!

“We were wondering what we could do to celebrate our 300th year of rich culture and heritage in New Orleans, so we decided to use one of our main Festival assets – Bayou St. John,” says Festival Chair Ginny Zissis. “We are incredibly honored the Isle de Jean Charles Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw Nation are joining us to mark our great history together.”

"We are extremely excited to have the opportunity to commemorate our ancestor voyage and exploration of Bayou St. John. The ability to celebrate our collective history is a wonderful way to honor our collective cultures," says Tribal Secretary Chantel Comardelle.

The Festival is also excited to announce new vegan and vegetarian dishes this year. The new vegan dish will feature faro and lentil salad, Greek green beans cooked in a vegetable broth, Kalamata olives, skorthalia made with potato and garlic, and a side of pita bread. Our new vegetarian plate will be loaded with tzatziki, chick pea salad, dolmathes, Kalamata olives and pita bread. This year’s featured dish is grilled shrimp wrapped in pita with a dollop of our Greek secret-sauce!  

We will also be serving up all your traditional Greek Festival favorites! The Greek dinner, slow-roasted rotisserie lamb, fried calamari, gyros, goat burgers, chicken and pork souvlaki. For folks with a sweet tooth, indulge on the baklava sundae, loukoumathes and don’t forget the pastries! Oh, the pastries! 

“We have more than 15 different pastries that people come to get every year! Baklava, galatoboureko, assorted cakes and cookies,” says Festival Co-Chair Gail Psilos. “Plus, for those who don’t want to wait, we always have our Pastry Express for pure convenience with a choice of assorted pastries or simply baklava!”

In its 45th year, the festival continues to be a family favorite at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral on the banks of Bayou St. John every Memorial Day Weekend! The fun kicks off Friday, May 25 with the annual Greek Festival 5K Run/Walk.

The Festival is nothing short of a cultural immersion with the Hellenic Dancers primed to perform multiple times over the weekend. The Gourmet Greek Grocery will be stocked with favorites to take home including imported cheeses, dips, olives, olive oils, spices and more. Tour the beautiful Cathedral while the kids play in the Athenian Playground or conquer the rock climbing wall. Grab a bottle of wine or ouzo and watch the sunset on the Bayou after a canoe ride. Ouzo Jell-O shots or ouzo daiquiris are also available. 

For more on the festival and up-to-date information on tickets, parking and shuttle schedules, go to www.greekfestnola.com or call Laila Morcos Zissis at 504-615-2388 or email at Laila Morcos Zissis . Like us on Facebook or Instagram.

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Media contact:
Laila Morcos Zissis 
(504) 615-2388
lailamorcoszissis@gmail.com