Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites - Kids Kaleidoscope

The 53^rd Santa Barbara Greek Festival, an annual festival sponsored and organized by Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Goleta, took place August 14-16, 2026, at Chase Palm Park Field, featuring a gorgeous ocean view, a delicious menu of Greek favorites including gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita, pastitsio, humus, baklava, loukoumades all made and served by church volunteers. Also on the menu was Greek wine tastings, fantastic music by Greek musicians, dance demonstrations of traditional dances and dance lessons by Greek entertainer Dimitri. Festival attendees were given a free ticket for a chance to win a large cash prize of two airline tickets to Greece.

This festival has been a huge favorite of area locals, many who volunteer to work the event, as well as a bevy of Greek food enthusiasts who travel here and spend the weekend at local nearby hotels to participate. One family I spoke with traveled from San Diego to savor the fantastic food, wine tasting and imported beverages at the Taverna, and said they just enjoy the Greek experience, while supporting a worthy cause. I can testify my Greek salad with chicken souvlaki dinner was truly outstanding, and the Greek dessert booths were swamped with Baklava loving visitors, who also seemed to enjoy the Greek coffee favorites. Many people were taking to-go boxes to share with friends and family at home.

So good to see so many families out together having fun. The festival provided kids arts and crafts, a Jolly Jump, face painting and lawn games to keep all the little people happy, but so many of the children and their parents were drawn to the dance area to listen to the music, watch the performances and feel the joy of dancing along to Greek favorites.

During my visit Dimitri, a talented Greek professional dancer gave an amazing dance demonstration and led guests, old and young, in a dance lesson that was thoroughly enjoyed by all and was followed by the St. Demetrios Dance Group. DJ Pete Loukatos kept the music moving with lively accompaniment for dancers. Heartwarming to see dad’s dancing with their little girls, babies trying to do first steps to the lively Greek music, and senior citizen couples enjoying the opportunity for yet another Greek dance together. Additional weekend music tent performers included Takis Kokotas Band, Downey Dance groups, Nisiotika set, and the St. Paul Dance Group.

Fr. Haralambos (Bob) Fox not only presented prayers and individual blessings to sponsors and volunteers setting up at the site, prior to the opening of the 53rd Santa Barbara Greek Festival, that were very inspiring but he also made the Loukoumades Honey Puffs desserts, supposedly one of his favorites, to please every attendee’s sweet tooth.

Sponsors for this year’s festival included Community West Bank, IDEAL Meat, Daniel & Charlotte Randopoulos, The Training Room, KeyPoint Credit Union, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Milpas Rental, Graphicink, Nick the Greek Souvlaki & Gyro House, E-Rentals & Tents Inc., Jordano’s Foodservice, Rock & Roll Diner, Noozhawk.com, and DEMETRIA.

According to George Papazacharioudakis, a festival organizer, they were ready to exceed the expected 10,000 attendees and said it looked like it could be their most successful festival yet. OPA! to all the kind and caring volunteers who once again made it all possible and to all the Greek food & music lovers who keep coming back.

About Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church (SBGOC): In the 1900’s several Greeks immigrated to Santa Barbara to settle down. In the 1930’s they founded an Orthodox house of worship to preserve and perpetrate the Orthodox Christian Faith. In those early days services were held at Trinity Episcopal Church and Greek School classes were held at the Louis Lowry Davis Center. In 1947, SBGOC was incorporated, and in 1950 a small church was erected at 124 Castilo Street. This parish became the cultural and spiritual center of the community. After outgrowing this site and in 1977, a spectacular site was acquired above Santa Barbara and was blessed by Bishop Meletios of Christianoupolis in 1978. In 1986 Bishop Anthony of San Francisco presided over the Grand Opening of the new church building. The church was consecrated on October 4, 1998, by Archbishop Spyridon of America. Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church continues to date to share the Light of Christ in Santa Barbara.

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church is located at 1205 San Antonio Creek Road, 805-683-4492. Other favorite foodie events at the church include Grab-n-Go day, October 12^th Golf Tournament, and Holiday Gift Boutique; check website for details. Father Bob and parishioners provide visitor Church Tours, Sunday services, weekday bible study, and an introduction catechism. For information, please visit office@saintbarbara.net or call 818-536-9122.