Media Contact:

Chrysovalantis P. "Chrys" Kefalas, Volunteer Director of Public Affairs & Marketing

Address: 520 S. Ponca Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21224

Telephone: 410-633-5020 (e-mail preferred)

E-mail: CPKefalas@greekfolkfestival.com

Background Information:

Founded in 1953 by immigrants, the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church has occupied a special place in the heart of Maryland's Greek-American community and in the heart of Baltimore's “GreekTown.”  Many of St. Nicholas' early parishioners worked in the Bethlehem Steel Mill, labored in other Baltimore City factories, or toiled in various service trades.  They had little in terms of wealth, yet lived richly with a strong faith and family, the bedrocks of Greek life.  Despite the significant employment demands and responsibilities of their day, they made time for faith, family, and fun.  And, on at least one weekend a year, as a community these men and women and their children let the fun spill into the streets with music, dancing, and endless supplies of traditional spirits and homemade Greek food. 

Although St. Nicholas has grown over the decades, much remains the same.  Now approximately 500 families strong, St. Nicholas remains the spiritual and cultural center for many Greek immigrants. The majority of the liturgy is still in Ancient Greek.  And, the annual summer festival is still as authentically Greek as it ever was.

So, on June 5, 6, 7, & 8, 2008 -- the first FOUR-DAY Greek Folk Festival -- expect a traditional celebration of ancient and contemporary Hellenic culture, with music, dancing, and homemade food, as Baltimore's Festival of Nations' spotlight focuses in on “Greektown.”  Join us for the SUPER-SIZED Greek Folk Festival 2008: "Passport to the Islands of Greece."

For more information, you may wish to visit the About the Festival section of this website.

Excellent photo or remote broadcast opportunity!

Greek Folk Festival In the News ...

• 06.09.07 - A big, fat Greek Festival (The Baltimore Examiner)
• 06.08.07 - What's Doing (The Washington Post)
• 06.06.07 - Critic's Pick: Greek Folk Festival (The City Paper)
• 05.31.07 - Think Mediterranean! (The Baltimore Guide)
• 05.31.07 - A Summer of Festivals (The Baltimore Sun)
• 09.10.06 - Best of Baltimore: St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival (The City Paper)
• 06.10.06 - It’s all Greek to them, annual festival hits city (The Baltimore Examiner)
• 06.10.06 - What’s Happening (The Annapolis Capital)
• 06.09.06 - Listen to WBAL Radio for a news report about the Greek Folk Festival (WBAL.com)
• 06.10.06 - What’s Doing (The Washington Post)
• 06.07.06 - For Festival, Greek community rolls out sweet tradition (The Baltimore Sun)
• 06.07.06 - St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival an Editor’s Pick (AOL CityGuide)
• 06.02.06 - Baltimore Ethnic Festivals (The Baltimore Examiner)
• 06.01.06 - Baltimore’s wide world (The Baltimore Sun)
• 06.2006 - Baltimore Guide to Summer Fun (Baltimore Magazine)
• 05.24.05 - Food showcase (The Baltimore Sun)