Tucson's favorite Greek Festival is celebrating 40 years this weekend, which means new things are happening. New things like expansion.
There will be another stage, Greek Street, more seating and that's not even the best part. They've added more food options and more alcoholic drinks. Greek mojitos and baklava sundaes are enough to get us to go.
Hundreds of Greek food-seekers sit to chow down during the 2014 Tucson Greek Festival.
Get your Greek on
Get a lay of the land with the site map. It's bigger than ever.
Where do I go: The festival is on the north side of Tucson near Ft. Lowell Road and Mountain Avenue.
Parking β like at all popular events β can be a nightmare. It's definitely a nightmare at the Tucson Greek Festival. Consider carpooling or using the festival's shuttle service but there is handicap parking at the festival's Navajo Street entrance and regular parking at Salpointe Catholic High School and Sacred Heart Church.
*Pro tip: Don't even try the parking lot behind the church because it will fill up fast.
Food is one of the greatest highlights of the festival. You can buy fast food like fried calamari, a gyro sandwich, and a gyro salad, or go the full dinner plate route. You'll pay about $5 to $9 for Greek Street food and $9 to $15 for a full Greek dinner. All prices are listed in the program guide when you go to the festival. Check out the full food list on their website.
Drink all the drinks. They will be serving greek mojitos, greek wines, American and Greek beer but they will also have drinks for people under 21. Bring your ID if you plan to drink. You'll get a wristband at the entrance that gives you alcohol-purchasing freedom.
Skip the sports bar. Watch Arizona face Washington on any of the four screens at the festival. This way there's no having to pick between watching the game or going to the festival. Do them both at the same time.
You'll be one of thousands. The events attracts tens of thousands of people every year but it's projected to attract 25,000 people. Just a heads up.
Take a piece of the festival home. Buy desserts to take home, buy something from the deli or find a trinket that you love.
Two-year old Max Atchison literally gets into his pita and rice, licking some of his dinner off his forearm during a meal with his dad John for the 38th Tucson Greek Festival at the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Chruch, 1145 E. Ft. Lowell Rd., Thursday Sept. 24, 2015, Tucson, Ariz. Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
For the children
The people behind the festival want you to bring your kid for a good time. There will be way more for children to do as a result of the expansion: Photo kiosks to take cute photos, dancing, a rock wall, face paint, and balloon makers.
Additional information
What: Tucson Greek Festival
When:
β’ Thursday, Sept. 22, 5-10 p.m.
β’ Friday, Sept. 23, 3-11 p.m.
β’ Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
β’ Sunday, Sept. 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 1145 E. Fort Lowell Rd.
Cost: Children under 12 are free and general admission is $3. There's also free admission for active-duty military, fire, police and first responders with ID.
