Festivities are back in full swing this year and last Sunday’s events in at least two separate Melbourne locations could not serve as better proof.
Crowds turned out in the hundreds at Rye defying the cloudy weather to celebrate Hellenism in Australia.
The paniyiri was organised by the Federation of Greek Elderly Citizens Clubs of Melbourne and Victoria at the aftermath of 26 January celebrations.
People were treated to a wide-ranging selection of food vans and pop up tents selling their craft, while the entertainment schedule was filled with traditional tunes.
Greek dancing performances were among the highlights of the day, with the Manassis school dancers taking over the outdoors stage.
Among the attendees were local mayor of the Mornington Peninsula Shire, Steve Holland and also local Liberal MP Sam Groth.
Sunday also saw the comeback of the popular Coburg Greek Festival on the occasion of the nameday of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Presentation of our Lord.
Locals and members of the broader community joined the parishioners following the conclusion of the Sunday service for an afternoon of Greek-style festival.
Delicious food and sweets were in abundance at the tables, while DJ Stelio Kardas and the seniors group of the Pontiaki Estia Melbourne dancers made sure everyone was kept entertained till late in the evening.
While Pontiaki Estia’s senior group was out performing, their junior and intermediate groups were back at the association beginning their rehearsals for the upcoming Lonsdale St Greek Festival.
The Pontians also joined the dance groups of ‘Florina Aristotelis’, ‘Greek Community of Melbourne’ and ‘Periklis’ at the Florinian Vasilopital Festival which was also held on Sunday at Thomastown with live halkina music entertainment.
