Austin Mediterranean Festival
The Austin Mediterranean Festival is one of the oldest and most popular food festivals in Austin. An Austin tradition for more than 80 years with lines of Greek dancers yelling “Opa,” and with yummy tastes of Mediterranean specialties like baklava, gyros and shish kabob!
Join us for one of Austin’s most beloved, delicious, and fun-filled festivals — the St. Elias Mediterranean Festival
SEPTEMBER 21ST & 22ND. Friday 6 – 11 and Saturday Noon – 11 pm.
Free Admission Saturday, Noon to 4:00 p.m!
St. Elias Orthodox Church – 408 East 11th St., Austin, TX
The outdoor festival of Mediterranean culture will take place on the grounds of St. Elias Orthodox Church on 11th Street between Red River and Trinity, just east of the Texas State Capitol.
The festival began in the early 1930s as a fundraiser for St. Elias, now a landmark, historic house of worship in downtown Austin. In those early years, parishioners hoping to raise enough money to build the church prepared classic Lebanese and Greek entrées and pastries and sold them at the historic intersection of Sixth and Congress in downtown Austin.
In 1934, the cornerstone was placed on the then-new St. Elias structure, and the doors of one of Texas’ first Eastern Orthodox Churches opened. The festival was then moved to the church, and over the years has become an Austin tradition.
Today’s festival is held on the church grounds, with rows of food and beverage booths, two stages featuring the music and dancing of the Mediterranean region, and a Mediterranean marketplace featuring everything from hand-painted Ukrainian Easter eggs to Greek sailor hats. There’s fun for the family including the Kids’ Oasis. Tours of the historic church are offered, with guides on hand to answer questions about the Orthodox faith.
На 21-22 септември ще се проведе за 86 път Mediterranean festival в St. Elias Orthodox Church. Прекрасен етнически фестивал със страхотна храна от различни страни, вино, танци и изкуство. Поканила съм танцьори от българските групи в Далас и Хюстън и те ще се представят между 4.30-5.30 в събота следобед. Всички българи да заповядат да се хванат на хорото.
Tatiana Nikolova-Houston