Upper Darby, PA – May marks the start of Greek festival season across the Delaware Valley—and for four days this past weekend (May 17–20), St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Upper Darby welcomed the community with open arms, big flavors, and plenty of kefi.
From South Jersey to Northeast Philly, Greek parishes take turns hosting these celebrations each spring, giving visitors a taste of Hellenic culture through homemade food, traditional music, and warm hospitality. At St. Demetrios, the crowds came out in record numbers, filling the tent and church hall to enjoy everything from lamb shank and spanakopita to retsina and loukoumades.
Volunteers worked around the clock to keep up with demand. As always, proceeds from the food and raffle tickets go to support the church and its ministries.
Walking through the festival grounds, it was more than just the food that stood out. Inside the hall, visitors found Greek art, crafts, and a gathering place where friendly greetings flowed as easily as the coffee. Outside, live music and folk dancing set the pace, while kids ran between tables and families caught up over grilled souvlaki and koulourakia.
Our photographer, Eleftherios Kostans, captured the spirit of the weekend in a special two-part photo essay. From sizzling grills to joyful dance steps, his lens followed the life of the festival as it unfolded.