Top Story
Chelsea Jackson
Frank Sotos sat outsideSaints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedralon Sunday, taking a break from the rush of the kitchen inside. “I’m exhausted,” he said with a laugh. Sotos, 58, and many others have been working since Wednesday to prepare food for this year’s 46th annualRichmond Greek Festival.
One of Richmond’s most popular and longest-running festivals, the Greek Festival typically draws over 30,000 people over four days to the grounds around the cathedral on Malvern Avenue. “It’s the community that loves us. It’s a lot of fun. We always said if we hit a million dollars, we’re gonna quit. Well, we did, and we’re back here this year. It’s exhausting for a lot of us, but the smiles we put on everybody’s faces, it’s priceless,” Sotos said.
People are also reading…
The festival celebrates Greek culture with live music, dance performances, an International Bazaar and, of course, food. Such dishes as gyros, moussaka, souvlaki, loukoumades and baklava attracted lines around the block. Sarah Rogan and Brian Lane carried their trays of food while searching for a place to sit and enjoy. “I think we got one of everything,” Rogan said. “The music, the food, the fun, it’s amazing. We have several pieces of art from here in our house. It’s just the feeling of this community coming together every year. Everybody looks forward to this.” “It’s really cool to see it all in motion and then see all the culture and dancing. It’s nice to get to learn a little something,” Lane said. Proceeds from the Greek Festival go to local charities. The festival began 46 years ago with a dinner and fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital.
“Throughout 46 years, we have continued to make this festival a fundraiser ... where our donation would make an impact. That is what I’m so proud of with our Greek Festival is that we have always given back to the community that has given us so much,” said festival organizer Andrea Baker. The Greek Festival was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and in 2022 due to supply chain limitations. It returned in 2023. “Our festival has been huge over the years, but last year we came back to heartfelt emotion from people going, ‘We’re glad you guys didn’t end this. We’re glad you could come back,’” Sotos said.
Recognize this? 1950s photos from The Times-Dispatch archives
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Robinson and Newcombe
Richmond in the 50s (236).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (235).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (233).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (234).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (231).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (232).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (229).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (230).jpg
1954 Branch House
1956 Richmond Virginians
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
1953 Monument and Horsepen
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s (42).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (40).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (38).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (39).jpg
1955 Parker Field
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s (35).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (36).jpg
1951 Lee statue
1952 Monument Avenue
Richmond in the 50s (33).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (34).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (31).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (32).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (29).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (30).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (28).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (27).jpg
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Frank Sotos sat outside Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Sunday, taking a break from the rush of the kitchen inside.
“I’m exhausted,” he said with a laugh.
Sotos, 58, and many others have been working since Wednesday to prepare food for this year’s 46th annual Richmond Greek Festival.
One of Richmond’s most popular and longest-running festivals, the Greek Festival typically draws over 30,000 people over four days to the grounds around the cathedral on Malvern Avenue.
“It’s the community that loves us. It’s a lot of fun. We always said if we hit a million dollars, we’re gonna quit. Well, we did, and we’re back here this year. It’s exhausting for a lot of us, but the smiles we put on everybody’s faces, it’s priceless,” Sotos said.
The festival celebrates Greek culture with live music, dance performances, an International Bazaar and, of course, food. Such dishes as gyros, moussaka, souvlaki, loukoumades and baklava attracted lines around the block.
Sarah Rogan and Brian Lane carried their trays of food while searching for a place to sit and enjoy.
“I think we got one of everything,” Rogan said. “The music, the food, the fun, it’s amazing. We have several pieces of art from here in our house. It’s just the feeling of this community coming together every year. Everybody looks forward to this.”
“It’s really cool to see it all in motion and then see all the culture and dancing. It’s nice to get to learn a little something,” Lane said.
Proceeds from the Greek Festival go to local charities. The festival began 46 years ago with a dinner and fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital.
“Throughout 46 years, we have continued to make this festival a fundraiser ... where our donation would make an impact. That is what I’m so proud of with our Greek Festival is that we have always given back to the community that has given us so much,” said festival organizer Andrea Baker.
The Greek Festival was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic and in 2022 due to supply chain limitations. It returned in 2023.
“Our festival has been huge over the years, but last year we came back to heartfelt emotion from people going, ‘We’re glad you guys didn’t end this. We’re glad you could come back,’” Sotos said.
Recognize this? 1950s photos from The Times-Dispatch archives
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Robinson and Newcombe
Richmond in the 50s (236).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (235).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (233).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (234).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (231).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (232).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (229).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (230).jpg
1954 Branch House
1956 Richmond Virginians
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
1953 Monument and Horsepen
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s (42).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (40).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (38).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (39).jpg
1955 Parker Field
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s (35).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (36).jpg
1951 Lee statue
1952 Monument Avenue
Richmond in the 50s (33).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (34).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (31).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (32).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (29).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (30).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (28).jpg
Richmond in the 50s (27).jpg
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Richmond in the 50s
Chelsea Jackson
(804) 649-6965
cjackson@timesdispatch.com
Chelsea Jackson (804) 649-6965
cjackson@timesdispatch.com
0 Comments
'); var s = document.createElement('script'); s.setAttribute('src', 'https://assets.revcontent.com/master/delivery.js'); document.body.appendChild(s); window.removeEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); __tnt.log('Load Rev Content'); } } }, 100); window.addEventListener('scroll', throttledRevContent); }
Chelsea Jackson
Features Reporter
- Author email
Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily!
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Followed notifications
Please log in to use this feature
Log In
Don't have an account? Sign Up Today