The popular 52nd Annual Oakland Greek Festival drew nearly 20,000 people this weekend to enjoy live music, traditional dance performances, food and crafts at the Ascension Cathedral.
The festival has been an absolute joy,” said Rev. Fr. Nicholas Mueller, presiding priest of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension. “We’ve welcomed many new visitors and been overjoyed to see friends who have been attending for years.”
Frosene Phillips, who performed Greek folk dances at the first festival in 1972, is now a volunteer and uses her previous experience as a journalist to help with the festival’s promotion and marketing.
“The festival truly is Greek hospitality on a grand scale,” Phillips said. “I love sharing our faith, food and culture with the greater Bay Area. Every year is like a spirited reunion for us all.”
People pass the wine-tasting tent during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Nicoletta McCormick, 10, Mary Kolokithes,10, and Sophia Polyzos, 10, from right, perform with the Aionia Dancers during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
People check out the food booths during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Ted Apostolou grills lamb skewers during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The Koinonia Dancers perform during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
People check out the food and craft booths during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Sylvia Kalivitis performs with the Mythos Band during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
People watch the Koinonia Dancers perform during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Lamb skewers are grilled during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The Koinonia Dancers perform during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Bobby Kalivitis plays the bouzouki with the Mythos Band during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The Koinonia Dancers perform during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Lamb chops are grilled during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
People line up for lamb chops and souvlaki during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The Aionia Dancers perform during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
People listen to the Mythos Band perform during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Alice Counelis, 94, plays the organ with the Liturgical Choir during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The Koinonia Dancers perform during the Oakland Greek Festival at the Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, Calif., on Sunday, May 19, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
The @OaklandGrkFest, now in it’s 52nd year, is packed again! What a fun event. #oakland #greek #festival @oakland @OakTribNews @EastBayTimes pic.twitter.com/sQv1RnNAY8
— Tyska (@Tyska) May 20, 2024
