Steubenville’s Greek Fest makes its return

STEUBENVILLE -- After more than a year of pandemic restrictions and setbacks, Anthony Mougianis was beginning to feel like he would never see another Greek Fest kick off.

Wednesday, with the sun shining and the community more ready than ever to celebrate, Mougianis was a part of the ribbon-cutting to officially kick off the 35th Greek Fest at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Steubenville.

"I just told (Steubenville) City Manager Jim Mavromatis he and I were talking a couple of months back, worried about the pandemic growing and the numbers, it seemed like it would take forever to get to that ribbon-cutting, but, thank God, we’re here," said Mougianis, parish council president and festival chair. "We’re thrilled to be here; it has a little more meaning than the past 34.

"This year, above any of the past 34, after this pandemic, the enthusiasm from the community has just been an outpouring of excitement and anticipation. It’s exciting for us because we know everybody is up for it this year."

The smell of the food and the sounds of music at the corner of South Fourth and South streets already filled the air when the ribbon was cut just prior to members of the public beginning to file in.

"Our parish, I can say, is extremely happy. This is what they live for every year," Mourgianis said. "In the community, I can’t tell you how many people have come up to me on the streets and said, ‘Please don’t ever get rid of the festival, we love it so much.’ Especially this year, people are just thrilled to get back to it. I think the community is really, really excited."

The festival is open until 9 p.m. today and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. It includes a menu featuring traditional Greek delicacies, tours of the church and music each evening by the Filarakia and the Greek Company Orchestra.

As part of the opening ceremony, the Sycamore Youth Center was presented with a $1,000 donation from the festival.

The youth center, located at 301 N Fourth St., was an easy choice, Mougianis said.

"Every year as a parish council we choose a recipient who we feel is worthy of a donation from our proceeds, this year we chose the Sycamore Center because of all the great, great things they do with young people," he said. "It’s just incredible how Bobbyjon (Bauman, Sycamore director) has grown that operation into a great level. They’re really great people that do so much for others. They were a unanimous choice."

Bauman was thrilled for the center to receive the recognition.

"It means a lot, I’ve known Tony (Mougianis) for a number of years and he’s just a blessing to the community," he said. "To get a donation from such a reputable church and organization, from the Greek Fest, it means a lot. More than the money, the recognition that what we’re doing for the community is valuable and they’re seeing that I think means a lot to us.

"Of course, we could use the money, but on top of the, recognition that we’re making a difference is really meaningful to the staff and myself."

The youth center provides programs for youths who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in such programs.

Information about what the center offers can be found on its website, sycamorecenter.com.

"We try to reach out to kids who a lot of times can’t afford lessons for tutoring or things like that, but we reach all kinds of a demographics," Bauman said.

The return of the festival is sponsored by Capital Health Network, Eastern Gateway Community College, Theo Yianni’s and Trinity Health System.

Kate Sedgmer, Capital’s community relations manager, said it’s part of being involved in the community.

"We’re so excited to be a sponsor this year," she said. "Carriage Inn and Carriage Health of Steubenville and all of our facilities across the state of Ohio really believe in bringing the community into our facilities, so anytime you can give back, especially in such a huge celebration, we’re happy to do it."

EGCC President Michael Geoghegan said the school is excited to be involved in community events again.

"Especially coming out of COVID, it’s great to be back engaged with the community," Geoghegan said. "Community is in our name. We want to partner with everyone in this beautiful community to help it grow. This is a good example of that, we’re glad to be a part of it."

Yianni Bourbakis, co-owner of Theo Yanni’s, the Greek restaurant located just off of Colliers Way in Weirton, said the festival shows how the valley comes together regardless of which side of the river someone is from.

"We’re really excited to be involved in this, especially after the year off. To be able to support the community and give back to them after they supported us during the pandemic, it’s very exciting," he said. "The valley came together for us when we were shut down and struggling during the pandemic. Just like they came together for us, I think it's important for us to come together for them and support the community any way we can."

The Greek event opened festival week in the city. The Dean Martin Hometown Celebration will run Thursday through Saturday. It will include a performance by Beatlemania Magic at 7 p.m. today in the Berkman Amphitheater and the Dean Martin Karaoke Contest at 9 p.m. today at the Spot Bar.