Patrons love tweaks in St. Barbara Greek Festival

With some expanded offerings, the St. Barbara Greek Festival was a bit different in its 2023 version of the "glendi."

The patrons' reponse, however, was the same as always.

“It’s paradise,” Father John Bociu said. “People seem to enjoy themselves. I get the feeling they come to experience life, to be cheerful and be peaceful.”

The event was held at the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.

Bociu said while joyful, the occasion was also sad, due to being the first glendi held since Father Frank Kirlangitis, the first full-time priest at the church who founded the festival, died in June 2022.

“It’s bittersweet," Bociu said. "We miss him. We will miss him for a long time, because he was such a big part of the community of Sarasota.”

George Karabatsos, one of three festival chairs, said he remembers when the event, now in its 39th year, began with only a few small tents, having now expanded to include what he said is everything that can be achieved on the church grounds.

“It’s a whole group effort,” he said.

He said the church begins cooking and setting up equipment about 30 days before the festival begins.  

This time, he said, the festival moved toward a food court concept.

The event also marked the first time the festival featured appetizers. The offerings consisting of sagnaki, or pan-fried Kefalotiri cheese served with grilled pita, and loukaniko, a type of Greek sausage flavored with spices, orange rind, and wine.

“It’s a success so far,” said Yianni Chalvadakis, who coordinated the appetizers. “We have received a lot of attention.”

When cooking the cheese, volunteers poured brandy across the grill, creating a spectacle out of the flames. 

“We’re just putting on a fire show every night,” Chalvadakis said.

The response from attendees to the event was enthusiastic. 

“It’s great. The food is awesome, the atmosphere, everything,” said Sarasota’s Kevin Harris, who said his family has lived in the area for 22 years. “I don’t know why we didn’t come sooner.”

“The music and dancing — I love it. The food is good. The tent is large and doesn’t trap heat. The parking is very accessible,” said Clearwater’s John Yacalis. 

“This is fabulous. This is lovely. This is a nice thing to be doing,” said Palm Aire’s Jay Grollman.

Bociu called the event an “experience of faith” in which “people are coming together, and getting closer to God also.”

“We can turn people on to our culture,” Karabatsos said. “The folk dancers, the cuisine — everybody just loves it. People wait all year to come to this festival. It’s always a good turnout.”