Local Flavor: Saco Greek Festival 2026

The 31^st annual Greek Festival is set for July 10-12 at St. Demetrios Church, 186 Bradley St., Saco.

The Greek Festival will run 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 10-11; and 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday. The three-day event attracts thousands of people from southern Maine and beyond. One thing that brings people back every year is the food.

“The great thing about our festival is that everything is homemade,” said Festival President Stavros Nashi, noting that other festival use pre-made or commercial food items.

The church’s women’s group, The Ladies of St. Fotini make thousands of pastries in preparation for the festival. They use the same recipes year after year – recipes that have been handed down to them from past generations.

“The ladies are the mainstay. They work harder than anybody,” said Nashi.

The festival will feature a variety of pastries, including baklava – phyllo dough layered with walnuts, spices and honey syrup, Koulourakia – a braided butter cookie topped with sesame seeds, and portokalopita – orange cake made with Greek yogurt and crumbled filo and soaked in orange syrup.

Dinners will include Greek roasted chicken, pastitsio – a baked pasta dish, skewered marinated lamb, Mediterranean meatballs, and spanakopita - phyllo dough layered with spinach, feta cheese, herbs and butter.

In addition to food, there will be church tours, a Greek market, bookstore, music, dancing, and children’s activities. Friday and Saturday there will be a D.J. from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and live music from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. Boston dance group The Sons and Daughters of Alexander the Great will perform at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday night.

There is free parking on site, as well as free satellite parking with free shuttle service from General Dynamics at 291 North St.

Proceeds from the festival go toward charitable efforts. This year, five percent of the proceeds will go to food banks in Saco, Biddeford and Old Orchard Beach.

Liz Gotthelf is the publisher of Saco Bay News. She also loves to eat – and support local businesses. If you have any local restaurant or food news, she’d love to hear from you. Send her an email at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com