It's finally Greek Festival time again! I kid you not, I wait for this thing all year. I actually plan things around it. "Sorry, I can't meet Tom Cruise this weekend. Why? The Greek Festival. Duh!" It happens every year... and every year, I gain about 10 pounds in one day. But man, it is so worth it. Running from June 1st to June 4th at the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church - 60 Traverse Rd. Newport News, VA, the Newport News Greek Festival is truly good times for one and all.

First and foremost, there's the food. Souvlaki, spanakopita, gyros, loukoumades, and the best of all - baklava.

You don't have to be an ethnic food guru to enjoy this fare.

As many times as I've been to the festival, I still haven't managed to try all of their wonderful-looking pastries. Of course, I've had the baklava and saragli (layered nuts, honey, and filo, flat or rolled), and my nephews and I always get deliciously messy eating our combined weight in loukoumades (Greek honey puffs). However, I'm still curious about the finikia (butter, cinnamon, nuts, and honey), galatoboureko (custard-filled filo), and diples (rolled egg pastry, honey dipped, sprinkled with walnuts and cinnamon). I never seem to have enough stomach-room left to try these, but they always look amazing. Someone, please, comment to this article and let me know if I should try changing up my usual dessert order.

To me, the next in order of importance are all the vendors. Yes, there are some truly silly things for sale. I don't know when I would even have occasion to wear plastic jewelry, for instance. On the other hand, there are more than a few wonderfully original and interesting vendors. Although I don't remember the name of the man, last year, I bought two pieces of artwork that I'm still in love with from a very nice and honest gentleman, who even held a piece for me for a day when I had left my checkbook at home. My favorite ring, a silver puzzle ring, was bought at a very decent price about four years ago. And although I've never gotten one myself, my sister purchased a very lovely embroidered tablecloth that I'm probably going to envy for years to come. I'd get one myself, but that would mean I'd actually have to clean off the table, and I'm afraid that just isn't going to happen anytime soon.

While you're eating or gloating over your newly bought goodies, sit in the large tent and enjoy some traditional Greek entertainment. There's almost always a performance going on, whether it be the 20 member choir of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, or one of the four award-winning Hellenic Youth Dancers' groups: the Hope, Joy, Goya, and Enosi groups. Those kids are too darn cute for words.

Other fun things to enjoy: the White Elephant sale going on in the back, the surprisingly fun playground set for the kids, a tour of the church itself, the "Golden Sounds" from Washington, D.C., and of course... lots and lots of ouzo.(Warning: do not drink this stuff on an empty stomach. Well, not if you want to actually remember the festival.)

Admission is Free!!

Thursday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 10:00 pm

Sunday, 12:00 noon to 7:00 pm

Satellite Parking & Shuttle Service available from Northside Christian Christ located at 1213-E George Washington Memorial Highway, 1/2 mile north of our Church on Route 17. Shuttle service from the satellite lot will NOT be available on Thursday. Shuttle services will run from 6:00 to 9:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, and then from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm on Sunday. ATM machines will also be available at the festival.

Call 596-5599 for more information