The Bellingham Greekfest takes place annually the 2nd weekend in September at St. Sophia's Greek Orthodox Church.
Parking is free. If you arrive early, you can find a spot in the church's lot. If not, there is plenty of free street parking.
Kids will immediately notice the two bouncy houses on the front lawn. In the back lot where the majority of the festival services take place, kids can have their faces painted or have balloon art created for them.
Your first stop should be the token tent. Menu prices are listed so you can judge how much real money you want to exchange for tokens so that you can purchase food. They take cash, Mastercard and Visa.
Arrive early in the day, and you will avoid the lines at the various food tents. The Gyros tent serves chicken, beef, pork or veggie gyros. You can also buy soda and water here. The dinner tent has plate lunches with rice, lamb, and dolmades (stuffed grape leaves). You can also buy spanakopita (spinach and cheese turnovers), filo cheese turnovers, Greek salad and non-alcholic beverages.
There is a large tent with tables and chairs setup for community dining. This is where you can buy beer on tap. You must show identification that you are 21 years old or older to buy and drink beer.
Two tents promise to fulfill your sweet tooth. Pick up some loukoumades at the Greek donut tent or head over to the Pastry tent for bajkava, namoura, melomacrona or a combination package.
While you are waiting in line for food or busy stuffing your face, you can enjoy live entertainment as a musician plucks and strums traditional Greek music on the bouzouki. Afterwards you can work off those calories with a little Greek dancing or peruse the marketplace for a cookbook, icons, clothes, lace and other Greek knickknacks.
You are invited to wander through the church. Detailed signage has been posted next to all of the wall icons, reliefs and other church items so that you can learn the meaning and use. You can even sit in a pew, watch or partake in the daily prayer service.
This is a small Greek festival, but the staff and volunteers put on a great event with a very friendly and inviting atmosphere. I'm so glad it runs Thursday through Sunday so that I can go back and try the different food items each day and participate in the Greek dancing. read more