Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)
Posted by Tasha on September 13th, 2010 in Festivals
UPDATE//Boys and girls, we have a winner!
Out of the 72 comments that slid in under the 3pm deadline…
And the holder of the 40th entry is…
Congrats, Evan! I like the way you think. You have 24 hours to e-mail me to claim your prize.
Thanks to everyone for playing – see you at Greek Holiday this weekend!
Greek Holiday, the festival that has brought dancing, homemade Greek food, shopping and tours of the beautiful Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church to Tulsa since 1961, kicks off in Tulsa this Thursday night, Sept. 16.
Yeah, the kids have gone back to school and football season has started. But fall never really seems at hand until I see the blue and white tent at 12th and Guthrie, just outside of the IDL in downtown Tulsa.
More years that I’ve been alive than not, my family hasn’t missed Greek Holiday. I even went the year I was three months pregnant and so nauseated by the faintest of smells that I could feel the top of my stomach in my knees.
But I would have given my life for a gyro. Such is the paradox of pregnancy.
Last year was our son’s third trip, really, since he spent his first Greek Holiday in utero, and it was the first time he ever knew the distinct pleasure of a drippy, crispy, super-sweet slice of baklava made by Tulsa’s own Greek yayas and theas (Greek for grandmothers and aunts, famous for their skills in the kitchen).
Kiddo might have had a few Kourambiethes (almond-flavored butter cookies sprinkled with powdered sugar), too.
But he had nothing on what was piled on the adults’ plates: Gyros. Greek souvlaki (shish kabob). An appetizer plate heavy with spanakopita. Calamari.
That’s four out of the nine items available on the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday, and where I come from, that’s no average to sneeze at.
Click here for the a la carte menu at Greek Holiday 2010 and info about Taverna.
We also had a box full of treats from the festival bakery. Which included, of course, that dreamy baklava.
The baklava that you just can’t get at a grocery store. The kind of baklava that could come only straight from the kitchen of a wise, knowing, feisty Greek woman.
Some things are sacred. This baklava is one of them.
Click here for more info on what’s available in the bakery at Greek Holiday.
While food is my favorite part of practically any festival, there’s much more to Greek Holiday than just the eats. Greek Holiday is home to some of the most exciting dance performances you’ll see in Tulsa all year, thanks to its several authentically costumed dance groups. All told, about 80 people are involved in this aspect of the festival, and they range in age from about 4 years old to 80.
Click here for the schedule of dance groups performing at Greek Holiday or here for more about the stories behind the songs and costumes.
There’s also a Greek market, Marketa. For sale is anything your little heart could desire from the birthplace of Western civilization, from olive oil and Kalamata olives to stunning, hand-crafted jewelry to the 50th anniversary cookbook of the Holy Trinity parish, Cooking Greek in Tulsa.
Click here for more about Marketa and the imported merchandise that’ll be available at Greek Holiday.
Greek Holiday is also a chance to learn about the Greek Orthodox religion and to find out more about the culture and traditions of the people in the church. Anyone who wanders through Holy Trinity during the festival is welcome to free tours.
As I mentioned before, yes, I look forward all year to the food on offer at Greek Holiday. But my real favorite part of this festival? That’s it’s about family.
Now that it’s reached its 50th year, multiple generations of the families of this parish have been involved in this festival. As you make your way down the a la carte line, you might be served your gyros and Greek-style potatoes by a grandmother and your Greek salad by her granddaughter. Entire families are involved in the ethnic dances, too, from moms and dads and kids and uncles to grandparents and great-grandparents.
This festival has, to put it lightly, some serious roots in this city.
It’s easy to be part of this historic edition among historic editions of Tulsa’s premier ethnic festival. Admission is just $3, and that’s only during the evenings and on Saturday. Before 4pm Thursday and Friday, there’s no admission fee at all. And did I mention that all kids accompanied by an adult get in free?
It’s true. They do.
Plus, you have three whole days to make room in your schedule to spend a few hours exploring this event.
Life can be even easier, though. You could win a gift basket full of Greek Holiday goodies right here at TDT.
The basket contains:
- Dinner tickets for 4 (which includes beverage and free admission to the festival)
- Two 2010 festival t-shirts
- 50th anniversary edition of the parish cookbook, Cooking Greek for Tulsa
- A box of assorted pastries, including baklava, finikia and kourambiethes
All you have to do for your chance to win this basket-o-heaven is head to the comments section on this post and tell me your favorite Greek food.
Pretty easy, right? I thought so, too.
You have until tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept. 14) at 3pm to enter. I’ll let Random.org pick a winner later that afternoon, and I’ll tack it all on right here as an update to this post.
Good luck, everybody! And you know that I can’t help but end this post with a big, hearty…
Opa!
Greek Holiday
When: Thursday, 11am-9pm; Friday, 11am-10pm; Saturday, 11am-10pm
Where: 1206 S. Guthrie Ave. (two blocks west of 11th Street and Denver Ave.; if you’re taking the Broken Arrow Expressway, take the Houston exit)
Web: TulsaGreekFestival.com
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78 Comments to Greek Holiday: Welcoming Fall with a Tulsa Tradition (Plus, a giveaway)
Cecilia Wessinger
On September 13, 2010 at 3:55 pm
Hmmm…decisions, decisions…. I don’t think I can pick just one but I can start with dessert:
Baklava, finger lickin’good stuff.
Laurie
On September 13, 2010 at 3:56 pm
The greek lab and potatoes!!! OMG I love the lamb!!!
Geoffrey Simpson
On September 13, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Ok, so I am a sucker for Gyros. I love them, love them, love them.
Erin
On September 13, 2010 at 4:03 pm
I love Greek food as much as I love fondue, so I’m going to try my luck again! gyros with lamb rock! and love baklava! I’m so going to this
Angela
On September 13, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Mmmm -Some Baklava sounds yummy! Would love to win this prize -enter me to win!
Indi Martin
On September 13, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I’m just finding out about your fantastic blog, but I got very excited to read this one! I’m totally going to check this out!
Indi Martin
On September 13, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Oh, crud. Also, my favorite Greek food is baklava!
Mere
On September 13, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Baklava!! Real baklava, not the grocery store kind.
Jen Worrell
On September 13, 2010 at 4:21 pm
I love souvlaki and pita, but baklava is my favorite!
Rachel
On September 13, 2010 at 4:27 pm
Spanikopita. I have even tried to make it myself. One year they ran out before I got some and I was pushed to desperate measures!
Roxanne
On September 13, 2010 at 4:29 pm
It all sounds so yummy. I guess I will go with gyros.
Kim
On September 13, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Do the Greeks make toubili? If I have my countries wrong, I’ll have to say Gryo with yummy yogurt sauce. Cannot wait. I might just have to go every day!
Mike
On September 13, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Tough choice…I love a good greek salad, greek grilled lamb and other meats, and definitely the gyros.
Denise
On September 13, 2010 at 5:24 pm
That’s tough to pick one….Gyros with baklava and koulourakia for desert.
Denise
On September 13, 2010 at 5:25 pm
oops typo dessert
Jackie
On September 13, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Baklava!!!!!!
Sara
On September 13, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Spanakopita and dolmas, please! Yum!
Evan
On September 13, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Tasha, as always, thanks for keeping us informed of these great traditions here in T-town
— honestly what’s bad greek food? haha but mm my favorite is dolmathes and keftethes and lets not forget about Greek Wine 
Cheers, and see everyone there!
Theresa
On September 13, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Spanakopita for sure!
jen
On September 13, 2010 at 7:17 pm
It’s gotta be the baklava!! Although, I don’t think it’s fair to just choose one!
Jen
Anna F.
On September 13, 2010 at 7:55 pm
It has to be the gyros!!!
Cate
On September 13, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Pastisio, otherwise known as Greek lasagna. So wonderful, but seemingly impossible to find in Tulsa.
Glenda
On September 13, 2010 at 8:48 pm
I love baklava!!!
Danielle davis
On September 13, 2010 at 8:49 pm
It is all said and done with one Greek item- Tzatziki sauce!! It is my ranch and being that I have been pregnant the past 6 years and live dipping everything it has become my my universal dip !! We just moved here from texas with 3 babies and of course pregnant again and would love the chance to go to the Greek festival! Tasha your information has been more useful than the Oklahoma chamber of commerce !! Thank you
Rebecca
On September 13, 2010 at 9:16 pm
I love the Greek festival! I will take one of everything please!
Michelle
On September 13, 2010 at 9:35 pm
I’m almost six months pregnant with our fifth child and am absolutely craving everything you talked about in this post!
Oh. My. Belly.
If I had to choose I would say a Gyro. Or two….
Jean
On September 14, 2010 at 12:07 am
I love Greek meatballs!! I think they’re called Kefkedes. And spanikopita!! Yum-o.
Cindy Powell
On September 14, 2010 at 1:35 am
Spanakopita!
Stephanie
On September 14, 2010 at 1:45 am
Baklava! Hands down. Definitely the baklava.
Jym
On September 14, 2010 at 8:54 am
mmmm spinach pie!
kate
On September 14, 2010 at 8:55 am
Kalamata olives! That counts, right?
Vox
On September 14, 2010 at 8:56 am
Has to be Gyros. Had one at Jim’s coney island yesterday and it was good!
Alan
On September 14, 2010 at 8:57 am
I love sweets, so it would have to be the baklava.
Holly
On September 14, 2010 at 9:01 am
I am a Baklava fool and this is THE place in Tulsa to get the real thing!
Sherri
On September 14, 2010 at 9:05 am
Oh, Momma!
My sweet hubby adores baklava, but it’s definitely the gyro that does it for me!
J. Michael Thurman
On September 14, 2010 at 9:07 am
Ooooo….
Spanikopita, dolmas, hummus, pastitsio…and the list goes on and on and on and on…
;-D
Kate
On September 14, 2010 at 9:09 am
I’ve been addicted to gyros since my first field trip to the greek festival back in the 6th grade. I would seriously pick one as my last meal on death row.
Stephanie
On September 14, 2010 at 9:13 am
No hesitation, Baklava!
Lindsay
On September 14, 2010 at 9:15 am
Gyros!!!
Evan
On September 14, 2010 at 9:21 am
mmmmm… it has to be gyros with a baklava chaser.
Jackie Sauter
On September 14, 2010 at 9:22 am
Mmmmmmm! Gyros!!
Jay Meehan
On September 14, 2010 at 9:23 am
My favorite Greek food is FETA cheese! It is incredible alone or with bread and olive oil…oh, and maybe some lamb!
Lisa
On September 14, 2010 at 9:23 am
I love gyros & baklava!!!
Kathy
On September 14, 2010 at 9:27 am
my fave food would have to be the lukimads( although i know i spelled it wrong) however,to be fair to my brother i will also say the calamari from the squid shack! My brother,Steve and my dad,Frank man the squid shack and i dont like calamari but theirs taste pretty good.
i love how the festival is about family!Its a great place to go to just meet great people and have some outstanding food and good clean fun!
Mercedes Millberry
On September 14, 2010 at 9:37 am
I sadly have always had a conflict the weekend of the festival and never made it. I hope to turn that around this year! I think the thing I would like the most would be spanakopita or some olives or calamari, or… it all sounds good.
John Taylor
On September 14, 2010 at 9:57 am
I love baklava…that is all! Oh wait, “Pick Me”!!!
Lori
On September 14, 2010 at 10:00 am
I’m not sure my parents had it right when they said I was Irish/German because I adore Greek food! So hard to pick just one, but here goes … calamari! But, only because I will never, ever forget the first time I tried this delicacy and how calamari and I have had an ongoing love affair ever since! I can’t wait to go to the festival this year. Thanks, Tasha!
Lydia Ostmo
On September 14, 2010 at 10:06 am
Oooh, I’d have to say baklava, gyros and everything else are so good, but the baklava is a work of art. Takes forever to make, and is dripping with honey… so delicious!
Adam
On September 14, 2010 at 10:10 am
Gyro! Gyro! Gyro!
Luisa
On September 14, 2010 at 10:17 am
γειά σου! How can we pick just one? My pick- something that’s perfect for the cooler weather- Spanakopita. Here’s to more rain, but not this weekend… enjoy the festival!
Marnie Fernandez
On September 14, 2010 at 10:30 am
Okay Tasha…I freaking read this with two days left of my cleanse. Can you say TORTURE? I WANT IT ALL. IT IS ALL MY FAVORITE BECAUSE I AM STARVING. I think I should win just because of the suffering I am going through right now.
Kristin
On September 14, 2010 at 10:30 am
Love the Greek Festival. We have gone as a family several times over the years. My twenty something son asked me last week if I wanted to go this year with him. ‘You want to hang out with your old mom?’ I’m not going to pass up that rare chance!
My favorite Greek food is a tie – gyros or baklava – yum!
Francesca
On September 14, 2010 at 10:43 am
Well this will be my first Greek Festival to attend, but I love the Greek Salad @ Mythos here in Joplin, Mo. along with a deicious Gyro….. Wish me luck
Thanks Tasha
Christine
On September 14, 2010 at 11:07 am
Baklava for sure!
Jon
On September 14, 2010 at 11:24 am
Gyros are pretty much my favorite food of any variety.
Thom
On September 14, 2010 at 12:21 pm
I LOVE dolmas…Greek Fest is awesome…here’s hoping for a win!!!
LN
On September 14, 2010 at 12:57 pm
It would have to be the lamb.
David
On September 14, 2010 at 1:34 pm
I LOVE BAKLAVA…..wonderful.
Also would love to win package!
Sindy
On September 14, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Dolmas, gyros, baklava – in that order! And then all those other delicious desserts. Yum, I can’t wait!
Shiloh
On September 14, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Greek souvlaki is my FAVE!
ELAINE FAITH
On September 14, 2010 at 2:26 pm
I love baklava!
Thanks for the chance to win!!
efaith444@aol.com
Jeff Snodgrass
On September 14, 2010 at 2:51 pm
Gotta go with Baklava!
Wendy
On September 14, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Definitely baklava! But, would love to go find
some new faves!
Stephen Cale
On September 14, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Souvlaki. Had it in Crete last year
Kim Pyles
On September 14, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Yummy, Baklava and Kaffe. That’s a great way to spend an afternoon!
george
On September 14, 2010 at 2:55 pm
yeeeeesh, how can i pick?!? the gyros have it.
Daniel
On September 14, 2010 at 2:57 pm
The Greek Coffee!!
Vivian
On September 14, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Olives! All shapes and sizes..ohhh and olive oil!!!!!
Ashley
On September 14, 2010 at 2:58 pm
Baklava,definately!!!!
Lynn
On September 14, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Those great little almond cookies!
Elizabeth
On September 14, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Feta!
Briana
On September 14, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I love the bak!!!
Right at 3 
Brian
On September 14, 2010 at 3:02 pm
I can only guess that 50% of people are going to say gyros, but I am going to have to be one of them. So delicious.
Caitlin
On September 14, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Love the baklava!
Heather
On September 14, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Well…I had never had Greek food until I met my husband 14 yrs ago. He is a Tulsa native, and was fortunate enough to have Halim and MiMi’s, which is now Dina’s. Growing up with his Dad as a single parent of two boys, they used Greek food to “test” their prospective girlfriends. Lucky, for him, that I loved it. Of course, there is no place that can hold a flame to Halim and MiMi’s, but I haven’t met any Greek food since that I didn’t like!!
Julie
On September 14, 2010 at 3:29 pm
I love baklava and gyros but would love to be able to get to go so I could try more and would love to be able to expose my children to their different types of food.
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