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Little Rock's Greek food fest raises money for local charities

A lot of work goes into putting on a festival of this magnitude year after year. And even more effort goes into the creation and preparation of Greek food that people drive miles just to taste.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - The 34th Annual International Greek Food Festival continued today in Little Rock with a hungry crowd that showed up well before the gates opened this morning.

This yearly community favorite promises good cooking and serves up all the Greek cuisine you can crave.

“People here in Arkansas appreciate having something different to do,” said festival volunteer, Kevin Wilcox.

The event is full of delicious food and provides family fun, all for a worthy cause.

"I run the loukoumades booth. It's like a Greek donut hole, a fried dough ball,” Matt McCrary, another volunteer, added.

Over the past 34 years, the food festival has donated nearly 1.5 million dollars to more than 30 local charities.

“It's obviously a fundraiser for the church too. We provide college scholarships to our high school kids. It just helps so many people from around the Central Arkansas area,” said Wilcox.

A lot of work goes into putting on a festival of this magnitude year after year. And even more effort goes into the creation and preparation of Greek food that people drive miles just to taste.

“Every booth requires a lot of man power. I get my family to come out and volunteer with me. We're out here all-day Friday, today and a good bit into Sunday,” McCrary said.

The three-day festival serves an array of choices, cultural performances, shopping and activities for the entire family. It's a tradition for the community and volunteers who help make it all possible.

“This is my 26th year participating in the festival. I married into the church, my wife is Greek,” said Wilcox.

And if you're wondering what on the menu, prepare for endless savory recipes passed down through generations in the Greek Orthodox Church.

"We're selling baked chicken, pastitso which is a like a lasagna. Spanakopita, Greek salad, a meatball product and various combinations including my Big Fat Greek Platter which is a combination of everything,” Wilcox added.

The festival concludes Sunday, May 19, and is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

You can pay $3.00 to enter or take three canned food items.

For a full list of food choices, visit greekfoodfest.com.

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