Crowds continued to gather in the thousands at Oakleigh Glendi today, filling Warrawee Park with energy and enthusiasm as the community came together to celebrate Greek culture. In a ceremony held earlier today, numerous dignitaries, including ministers, MPs, and the state opposition leader, joined the festivities.
Oakleigh Greek Community President Christos Damotopoulos expressed his delight at the remarkable success of the two-day event. “Saturday’s attendance was outstanding, surpassing all previous records,” he said.
“This weekend is truly historic for our community in Oakleigh—not just in numbers but in spirit.” He noted that during Kostas Karafotis’ performance, an estimated 20,000 people filled Warrawee Park.
“The most important thing is that everyone enjoyed themselves,” he told Neos Kosmos, adding a heartfelt thank you to all who attended, as well as to the stallholders, sponsors, volunteers, and performers who brought the event to life.
The president credited the sunny weather with contributing to the festival’s success, as attendees began arriving Saturday afternoon, with numbers peaking around 6pm, just before Karafotis took the stage. The diverse crowd, spanning all ages, enjoyed the lively atmosphere while exploring the stalls with ease.
This year’s Oakleigh Glendi also includes a Neos Kosmos booth, welcoming members of the Greek community to stop by and connect.
The entertainment program, which continues today, features traditional music, dance performances, children’s activities, and cooking demonstrations. Saturday’s concert highlight saw Greek singer Kostas Karafotis, Maria Marouli, and the band Kinisi delighting the crowd with vibrant performances.
Guests have also been treated to live cooking demonstrations by acclaimed Australian chef of Cypriot descent George Calombaris, along with Nicolette Stathopoulos and Naomi Crisante.
At the outdoor market, visitors can browse and purchase a variety of handmade crafts, candles, clothing, and other items, as well as savor a wide array of Greek and Mediterranean delicacies.
