Tulsa’s oldest ethnic festival is one of our city’s favorite weekend experiences. What a way to celebrate the culmination of summer while ushering in fall… all in the same weekend! (Sept. 19-22) Church tours, cuisine, shopping, and entertainment information is on our website (see link below). While our festival traditions are always the cornerstone of our brand, we also bring new features to introduce to our Tulsans and visitors from all over the state.
New Additions to the Tulsa Greek Festival…
Get Your Kicks at Greek 66- Best Lil Stop in OPAHOMA- Tulsa’s Greek Festival is located on Route 66 under our big tent and on our church and community center’s grounds. As the oldest ethnic festival in Tulsa, how nostalgic is it that our festival is located on such a historic route! Our marketing team likes to freshen up our brand with iconic state themes as a nod to our loyal Oklahoma customers who attend from far and wide within the state. Get your dance kicks at Greek 66!
In 2019, we are featuring a new Temple of Fire which is our Saganaki (Fried Cheese) booth. Like our Squid Shack, we now have a Saganaki Shack.
Every food area will have drinks and we’ll also have a stand alone frozen drinks area.
Another new feature in 2019 is our pre-packaged cheese, meatball and loukaniko for purchase at the Marketa. Loukaniko (sausage), keftedes (meatballs) and saganaki (fried cheese) are new food items since 2018.
Admission is $5 for adults after 6 p.m. on Thurs. and Fri, all day on Sat. and Sun. and kids are free all weekend.
Corporate lunches and catered lunches – information on website.
The “new-ish” logo ,“OPAHOMA”, combines Greek pride with state pride. “OPA!” is a term which expresses passionate spirit, similar to “yahoo!” The term “opahoma” is designed in the shape of our state. It’s also a way to thank Oklahomans for the half-century of support for our festival.
“We’re bringing KEFI back!”- the street party vibe of decades past—we’re bringing it back this year and want you to help us! Plan to stay late or arrive late for this night party atmosphere : 8:00 p.m. on. We have adult dancers again this year who will perform and then invite the customers to join us in easy Greek dances.
History…
In the beginning there was no marketa, no loukoumathes, no formal entertainment….just dinner and baklava. Eventually, through the years, Tulsa’s Greek Festival added special touches. Wine tricks, honey puffs, church tours, non-stop dancing on stage, bakery items, delicious Greek food and much more can all be found every September at 12th Guthrie in Tulsa. Tulsa’s oldest ethnic festival originated in 1961. Ideas evolved from several parishioners with an innovative spirt.
Reportedly, in 1960, parishioners discussed a dinner idea with a fellow Greek who was the manager of Tulsa Hotel. Giving the church members a room in the hotel and use of the kitchen was the opportunity that became the first Greek Festival (in 1961, approximately). It was a one-night dinner and the customers were Greeks and their close friends. The committee was made up of chairmen, cooks, assistants and volunteers and they gave parishioners ten tickets each to sell. Everything grew from there!
The original menu was lamb, rice, pastichio, Greek salad, dolmathes…..Pictured here are the original tickets.
The original ticket price was $2 . The outcome was a good start for the church members. At that time, the community was building a new church hall. They had two festivals a year with about 1,000 customers attending. They gauged this from the 1,000 kabobs (souvlakia) they served. The original festival was accomplished on one refrigerator, one sink, and one oven. The neophyte team was strong and full of energy and they continued to hold the festival every year after 1962.
At that time, several female volunteers dressed up like Greek goddesses and served the dinners. Years later, some volunteers wore regional Greek costumes and accessories as their attire. Two young boys, dressed as Greek Evzone soldiers, were the entertainers, dancing every hour. The sight of the cooks in their aprons coming out to dance for the crowd is a favorite memory for many. This has remained a tradition through the years, usually on the last night of the festival weekend.
The menu developed through the years, as well. Kalamari (squid) and souvlakia (kabobs) became favorite additions and one of the most progressive developments to the festival was lamb. The cooks presented the idea and eventually it became accepted. It has been a tradition now for ten years or so. In 2016, a new item was introduced: “Greek fries” which is an appetizer topped with a special seasoning, feta cheese and oregano.
The Greek dance groups are enjoyed not only by the parishioners but also by the spectators who appreciate that the tradition of regional dancing is being preserved and passed down to the church youth. Lately, a live band and emcee have become worthwhile and engaging additions.
VIP NIGHT- The theme of “Santorini Night” beckons the customer to wear casual or dressy white attire and enjoy gourmet food, auctions and entertainment. Reservations must be made in advance for this event. – information also on website. (This event takes place on alternate years so check the website from year to year..)
Greek week–For the first time ever, in 2016, we offered almost an entire week of events with the festival itself being the finale.
Tulsans ask every year “when is the Greek Festival?”, “Did I miss it?”, etc.. so we came up with a poem to help you memorize the date….(except for the year of 2017)…
“Never forget; always remember, it’s the third week of every September.”