In May of 2011, “My Big Fat Greek Festival” was born incorporating faith, heritage, fun and community service. Emily Thomas, the Festival Co-Chairman stated, “Our first festival was a 1 day festival in May of 2011 it started partly because of the love of our church, our faith and heritage.” This year it is a three day festival beginning Friday February 5th and running through Sunday February 7th, 2016. The festival takes place at the Hernando County Fairgrounds.
Ms. Thomas was born in Greece and raised in the United States. She has many responsibilities in putting this event together; everything from community awareness to decorations. Her parents instilled in her the importance of hard work and the keys to success, “I am very grateful to both my parents because [they] taught me and my family to live life to the fullest, to work hard… They taught us to always smile, laugh and to be happy! To share and give as much as we can, of everything we can, from cooking our Greek food, traditional Greek folk dancing to offering help with the automotive industry [the family business].” She added that honesty is also an important key to success.
She has employed those principles in running and organizing the Greek festival and perhaps that is why it is becoming one of the most anticipated festivals in our community.
Ms. Thomas explains, “The Greek festival brings the opportunity to get the entire community to work together… [and] to grow Hernando County by exposing local businesses, organizations and talent… Every year we are more and more impressed by the enthusiasm of the community and have so many wonderful people [who] come out and help. I am so proud of the community we live in! Just like our little parish…it’s like one big family!”
The purpose of the festival, said Ms. Thomas, is to raise awareness of Greek heritage and “to help with philanthropic work throughout the community.”
Ms. Thomas pointed out that unlike many other Greek festivals, My Big Fat Greek Festival in Hernando County makes it a priority to include local community talent and to “give them the opportunity to participate and share their talents, as well as in combination with the members [of the church].” Members of the parish met with students from the local talent agency Stir Up the Gift and taught them to do some traditional Greek dances which they will perform during the festival on Saturday, February 6th.
Other entertainment includes Greek dancing, dance lessons, performances by Shazadi and the Jewels of the Desert, Elvis, and Nature Coast Ensemble. New to the festival this year is Greek Jeopardy. For those with a big appetite and a competitive edge, there will by a gyro eating contest. Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and Firehouse Rescue will also be there. The food at the festival will be catered by Greek City Cafe.
“Like I’m sure you have heard this before…It’s Fun to Be Greek! Every county needs a Greek Festival,” stated Emily Thomas.
For more information on the Greek festival go to: http://www.hcgreekfestival.com/
