“Be Greek for a Day … or Two!”

Written for The Villager

   June 18 and 19 Jamestown residents and many others will be turning Greek for the annual Yassou Festival held at the St. Nicolas Greek Orthodox Church in Jamestown, N.Y. Held on the lush green lawn of the church, people of all ages will be able to enjoy Greek dancing, jewelers, boutiques, church tours and of course, lots of Greek food.

   The festival has something to offer everyone, said John Silo, this year’s festival chairman. For children there is a special “Kid’s Corner” where they can enjoy sand art, a puppet show, receive balloons and have their faces painted.

   Live dancing shows and a Greek band will be playing throughout the festival, surrounding people with “gorgeous music,” Silo said. “It’s like good blue grass but only Greek style.”

   Alexis Singleton, former festival chairman urges people to get involved with the festival. “At the end of the shows we try to bring people out to dance and try it out,” she said.

   There is also plenty of seating around the coffee shop in the tent for people to sit and enjoy food, festivities and friends. Singleton said many people from outside of the Jamestown area come to enjoy the festival, so it acts as a place to reconnect with people year after year. “It’s a very friendly place,” Silo said.

    The festival will feature many homemade Greek dishes such as Greek lasagna, slovakia, spinach pie, many Greek desserts, including the “sweetest baklava” and much more, all made by church parishioners for people to feast on throughout the festival, Silo said. “Usually by lunch time we have already sold 150 slovakia sandwiches.  It’s one of our biggest hits.” The festival also offers hotdogs for those who wish to enjoy the Yassou Festival but may not be accustomed to Greek foods.

   Along with great food, there will also be Greek “Opa” beer and wine specially brewed by The Southern Tier Brewing Company for the event. “We’re so lucky to have them do it, they can’t do this for everyone, so we’re grateful,” Silo said. But not to worry, American beer will also be on draft for people to drink as well.

   As “the premiere event in Jamestown” with 6,000 people attending each year, Silo said, the festival is really like a big town and community party. “The festival is very family oriented. We’re here to show off our culture and our heritage,” he said.

   And everything at the festival is affordable for the family. “Everything is super low priced,” Singleton said.  Most meals are usually under $10 and Silo says, “are completely worth it.” To enter the Yassou Festival it is $2 fee, but children 11 and under can experience the event for free.

  The festival runs Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., rain or shine.