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Greek Festival serves up food, culture, community
- Details
- Tuesday, 01 September 2026
- Written by Sheila D Barker
For one weekend in September, the sights, sounds and flavors of Greece will fill Fayetteville’s historic Haymount neighborhood as the Fayetteville Greek Festival returns for its 36th year.
The annual celebration will take place Sept. 12 and 13 at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, located at 614 Oakridge Ave. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free.
Organized by members of Fayetteville’s Greek community, the festival invites visitors to experience Greek heritage through traditional food, music, folk dancing, shopping and educational activities. Approximately 5,000 people attended the festival in 2025.
Food is traditionally one of the festival’s biggest attractions. Guests can enjoy familiar Greek favorites such as gyros, souvlaki and spanakopita, along with an assortment of homemade pastries and desserts. Baklava, loukoumades and Greek coffee will offer something sweet for those who save room after the main course.
Souvlaki consists of seasoned pieces of meat grilled on skewers, while spanakopita combines spinach and cheese inside layers of flaky phyllo dough. Loukoumades are small, fried dough pastries traditionally served with honey. Together, the dishes offer visitors a flavorful introduction to Greek culinary traditions.
The festival offers more than a meal. Live music and folk dancing will help create a lively atmosphere throughout the weekend, while church tours will give visitors an opportunity to learn about the Greek Orthodox faith and the history of the congregation.
Shoppers can browse approximately a dozen outside vendors offering locally made art, crafts and other items. Additional attractions inside the church will include Greek jewelry and gifts, an olive oil maker, artwork depicting scenes from Greece and a cooking class.
The festival’s Greek Grocery Store will also return this year. Visitors will be able to shop for imported and specialty products including Greek chocolates, honey, olive oil, candy, pasta and coffee. The store gives guests a chance to take some of the festival’s flavors home and experiment with Greek ingredients in their own kitchens.
While the weekend celebrates traditions passed down through generations, it also reflects Fayetteville’s broader cultural diversity. The Greek community has played a notable role in the local restaurant and business landscape, and the festival provides a place for families to share their heritage with neighbors from across Cumberland County.
Festival co-chair Lia Hasapis described Fayetteville as a “melting pot” where people come together, regardless of whether they have Greek ancestry.
A new community partnership will extend that welcoming spirit beyond the festival grounds. Organizers are working with the Cumberland County Animal Services Department to promote responsible pet ownership, animal adoption and the shelter’s programs.
Festivalgoers will be able to learn about the organization’s work and donate requested pet supplies. The collaboration gives the festival an additional way to support the community that has embraced the event for more than three decades.
Raffles, family-friendly activities and cultural displays will round out the weekend. Whether guests come to sample their first gyro, watch traditional dancing, learn about the Orthodox faith or stock their pantry with Greek specialties, the festival offers multiple ways to experience the hospitality and heritage of Fayetteville’s Greek community.
The Fayetteville Greek Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 614 Oakridge Ave. Admission and parking are free. Food, merchandise and other goods will be available for purchase. For more information, visit the Fayetteville Greek Festival’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/p/Fayetteville-Greek-Festival-61575166151341/.
(Photo: Dancing is a large part of the Fayetteville Greek Festival. Those who go can expect to see performers on the stage, showcasing their craft. Photo courtesy of the Fayetteville Greek Festival Facebook page)
