Opa Friends! You don’t have to travel out of the country to experience authentic Greek and Middle Eastern food and entertainment. The St. Michael Mediterranean Festival is coming to Beaumont! Each year, St. Michael's hosts the festival to share Mediterranean food and cultural heritage with the Southeast Texas community as well as support a local charity. There is always a wide selection of Greek and Middle Eastern food and pastries along with entertainment and plenty of kid friendly activities.
Event Details:
St. Michael Mediterranean Festival
Saturday, May 7, 2016
11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
St. Michael Orthodox Christian Church
690 N. 15th Street
Beaumont, TX 77705
The Food:
“All the food is made by parishioners using recipes from our mothers and grandmothers that have been passed down the generations,” said Georgia Vasilakis, Mediterranean Festival Coordinator.
You can’t get much better than homemade from the kitchen of mothers and grandmothers! The recommended dish is the official St. Michael’s Syrian dinner that was first served in Beaumont in 1909. This 100+ year tradition dinner is $12 and includes:
- Kibbee (Fried extra lean beef stuffed with sautéed meat, onions & pine nuts)
- Cabbage Rolls (meat, rice and spices rolled in cabbage leaves cooked with lemon)
- Arabic Style green beans and a slice of middle eastern pita bread.
Other food items include: Tabouli, kabobs, stuffed grape leaves, gyros, greek salads and more! Click here to check out the full menu.
The Bazaar:
You can even try to recreate the amazing food at home. The St Michael Orthodox Church cookbook will be for sell ($20) along with other authentic finds at the Bazaar. Items include: jewelry, linens, and decor from Greece and other Mediterranean countries.
The Entertainment:
There will be Greek and Arabic dance troops performing throughout the day along with entertainment from Disney Cruise Line Magician, Chad Chesmark! Other kid friendly fun includes: a petting zoo, camel rides, a bouncing adventure with a hippo chow down, laser tag, arts & crafts, face painting, a moonwalk and spin art.
The festival is also a great way to support the community and to learn about a culture that exists here in Southeast Texas.
“It is important to support local events to really see what Beaumont truly has to offer,” said Vasilakis, “supporting local events increase your sense of belonging in this community all while supporting other charitable organizations, in our case this year CASA for Abused Children.”
The festival will be held rain or shine at St. Michael Orthodox Christian Church. The location is 690 N 15th Street, Beaumont, Texas. For directions and more information, click here.
