Let’s Go Greek Festival: Celebrate with food, art and music
ACTOR and comedian George Kapiniaris will host the annual Let’s Go Greek Festival in Parramatta this weekend.
Parramatta
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HE HAS always proudly celebrated his Greek heritage, so joining a festival showcasing all things Greek was a no-brainer for George Kapiniaris.
The actor and comedian will be the MC — or as he calls it, “the life of the party” — for the annual Let’s Go Greek Festival at Parramatta this weekend.
Kapiniaris, known for roles in Straight Outta Compo, Underbelly and Acropolis Now, is returning to the event after four years and says the festival has “grown so huge”.
“It gets packed with people — not only with just Greeks but all the people from the Parramatta area come down and have a great day,” he said.
First held in 2014, the annual festival celebrates Greek culture with food, art and music. It includes cooking demonstrations, food stalls, live music and traditional dancing.
Those up for the challenge can enter the loukoumades (Greek doughnuts) eating challenge, then work it off by learning to do the Zorba.
Donkey rides, live music, carnival rides and children’s activities will run during the day, ending with a fireworks display at 6.30pm.
Kapiniaris says the festival presented Greek culture and heritage to “the world, to Parramatta”.
“It’s just a great day from an educational point of view, a learning point of view, to come and check everything out,” he said.
Kapiniaris, who grew up in a Greek family in Melbourne, said it was “important to hold on to our identity, who we are, where we come from”.
He says Parramatta has “all these different cultures” that “work beautifully together”.
“Parramatta is just a great example of what Australia is, it’s a country where people are relaxed and people can mix and mingle … and that’s what these festivals do,” he said. “… I’m really proud of Parramatta and when they asked me to do this I didn’t hesitate at all.”
The festival will be held on Sunday from 11am until 6.30pm at St Ioannis Greek Orthodox Church, 163-165 George St, Parramatta.