Augusta Greek Festival returns downtown

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)– Augusta Greek Pageant is making its huge return at Holy Trinity Church this week after two years of drive-through celebrations.

Pageant goers say the pageant’s primary attraction is the meals. The road for meals wrapped across the vender tent Friday.

“I’m cooking up the gyro meat for the pageant. Attempting to maintain up with the demand. It will get fairly busy proper about now. We’re undoubtedly feeling the warmth however we’re going to be alright, we’re going to make it,” John Emery stated.

Distributors from close to and much provide every thing from handmade items, to soaps to jewellery.

“We’re out right here promoting issues that we made. We’re from Edgefield, South Carolina. I make bathtub merchandise, soaps, lotions. We’ve got jams, jellies, honeys,” Rhonda Nowicki stated.

Nowicki is not any stranger to the pageant. She and her daughters have been distributors for years, however COVID saved them away till now.

“We’re so glad to have all people again collectively. It’s type of like a small household that we haven’t seen one another for 2 years,” Nowicki stated.

And she or he’s not the one one pleased to see the pageant again the best way it was once.

“It type of cleanses your soul so to talk, makes you’re feeling like a human being once more,” John Templeton stated.

For the previous two years, the celebration was drive-through solely due to the pandemic.

“Throughout COVID they’d a drive by for the meals they usually had strains of vehicles, however now they will are available in particular person and it’s very nice,” Persida Stultz stated.

“I take pleasure in seeing the faces of the folks as they’re developing getting their meals and having fun with it. Earlier than coming by within the vehicles, it was quite a bit much less personable,” Emery stated.

Everybody has their decide for what makes the pageant so particular.

“I haven’t tried the meals but, that’s why I got here out. I’m stunned to see all of the actually cool handmade stuff, and I simply purchased this kimono,” Stultz stated.

“The meals is nice. I like the dancers. Style of Athens that come and carry out right here yearly, they’re unbelievable. It’s only a nice environment,” Templeton stated.

The pageant will go on till 9 p.m. Friday, and thru the weekend.

For those who can’t make it out, you may nonetheless order the pageant meals from Augusta To-Go.