Greek Festival brings food and fun to Cranston yet again

Johnston Sun Rise ·

The Cranston Greek Festival’s popularity surfaced again – for the 32nd straight summer – on the jam-packed Church of the Annunciation grounds at 175 Oaklawn Ave.

There were lines everywhere – outside the food tent where volunteer servers filled people’s plates with roast lamb, Greek style, as well as chicken and as dozens of folks said “Rhode Island’s best-ever Gyros.”

There were even lines at the bar – manned at times by Stephanie DiSumma, Lisa Badway, Elaine Crabtree, George Mihailides and David Colman – and people waiting to board free shuttle buses that organizers provide as a special service that runs from the Cranston West High School parking lot to in front of the Greek Orthodox Church that helps alleviate parking problems.

There were even lines for the many caloric creations at the Pastry Shoppe that ranged from baklava – which again sold out – and a variety of other sweet stuff that volunteers packaged for festival goers to take home.

In the middle of it all was Rev. Andrew George, pastor at Church of the Annunciation, who hosted His Eminence Metropolitan Methodias of Boston, the Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of New England.

After enjoying some lighter fare inside the Greek Coffee House, which was one of many offerings housed underneath a dozen canopy tents, Father George and Annunciation’s Assistant Pastor Rev. Dr. Emanuel Chris made their way through the crowed thanking people for supporting what has become a Rite of September in Cranston.

So much so, in fact, Theofanis “Frank” Markos, who has served as General Chairman for nearly two decades, estimated that last weekend’s three-day event attracted 25,000 people to the festival.

And, in keeping with tradition, Father George and Father Emanuel issued “thank yous” to as many people as possible throughout the 3-day fun and food fest that was highlighted in part by Annunciation’s award-winning Odyssey Dance Troupe.

“The general population enjoys our Greek Festival so much,” Father George noted. “As I would walk around and thanks people for coming, so many would respond ‘thank you for having us!”

There were also statements like “We have been coming here for over 20years … your parishioners are so nice and we just love you food, it’s the best in Rhode Island.”