Jean Zavos of Elmwood Park grew up in Aurora and loves coming back every year to a church where she grew up for authentic Greek food.
“I’d come here twice a day if I lived closer. I’m here for every festival,” Zavos said as she sat at a table under a huge tent that was erected in the parking lot of St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church in Aurora Sunday. “I come to the food festivals both in the spring and fall. It’s the good food, the sweets, the company, the music – everything. That’s why people keep coming back.”
The church at 1855 Fifth Ave. in Aurora offered parishioners and guests the chance to have an authentic taste of the islands without having to travel nearly as far during Aurora Greek Fest Friday through Sunday.
The church’s website said the event offered an emphasis on “a taste of Greek hospitality, culture and, most importantly, delicious Greek food.”
A wide sampling of Greek cuisine was again offered by more than two dozen volunteers who served up thousands of dishes as well as the behind-the-scenes effort of home cooks who work for days making pastries and side dishes as well as others cooking Greek chicken and other meats outdoors.
Foti Georgopoulos of Montgomery, who serves as the parish council president and chairman of the food festival, said the event, which has recently moved to being held twice a year, began as a fall-only event in 2001.
“We took two years off during COVID and began again with a spring one after that was over,” he said. “We raise a good amount of money from this that goes for our church and our infrastructure and, of course, our outside community and struggling families.”
Over the three days, Georgopoulos estimated that more than 2,000 people would visit the fest, noting that most are repeat customers “who love the hospitality, they love seeing us and how dedicated we are and how committed to the outside community.”
“This is their way to support us as well. It’s always a wonder to see people that come from places from Elgin to Plano,” Foti said. “We had someone here this Friday that came from St. Louis and heard about us. There are people that come all three days to support us.”
The event was expected to raise about $50,000 for the church.
Sunday’s crowd seemed just as enthusiastic as those who came Friday, officials said. Georgopoulos and others noted “there has been a steady stream of people all weekend and this might be one of our biggest food festivals ever.”
Those words were echoed by Annette Tsimouris of Naperville who, along with her husband, was again working as a volunteer.
“I’ve probably been here 25 years. I keep coming to support the church and it’s nice to bring the community in to see the church and for them to enjoy the Greek culture and food,” she said. “People keep coming back for the culture and the food and I’ve seen people coming here all three days.”
Mike Tsimouris said the crowd had been steady and that he himself “had been cooking, prepping, running back and forth.”
“We have gone through about 900 pounds of pork in a weekend,” he said.
Louise Doherty of Rockford came down to see some friends and said she has been to the festival at least “once a year for 10 years.”
“I grew up in Aurora with my friends here and I love the food. I always order moussaka,” she said. “I buy a second round to bring home.”
David Sharos is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
