Last Saturday (11th October) we had a blast at the Glencore Greek Fest at Riverway Townsville. Having missed the event last year, nothing was going to stop us attending this time around.
The Greek Fest is a sponsored event and the facilities were as usual excellent. We first noticed workmen erecting the huge marquees and stage on our Tuesday afternoon walk. Considering the event commenced on the Saturday, a Herculean amount of effort and hours were donated.
It is only because of these generous sponsorships that entrance is kept free for the public – and the public shows their appreciation by attending in their tens of thousands.
The setting under the trees near the (closed) twin Lagoon Pools at Riverside was perfect.
On the Saturday night food queues were many and lengthy but it did not take long to get our dinner.
With me it’s all about the FOOD.
We scored a bucket of Calamari ($9) Greek Salad ($5) (Yiros ($9) Cheese and Spinach pastry ($4) Bottle of Water ($3). While looking for and securing a table I couldn’t resist sneaking a few rings of calamari and they were so good! Young, tender and tasty squid with a crispy light flour coating. I hesitated over ordering the salad but I needn’t have – the shredded lettuce, crumbled feta, tomato, onion, cucumber, seeded olives and generous squeeze of dressing – was better than what most restaurants serve up. The Yiros was loaded with slices of lamb and the cheese and spinach pastry was tasty, if a little too hot to begin with. All in all it was superb quality considering the amount of meals churned out.
My only complaint was the line for the Honey Puffs never seemed to shrink in size.
Let me say up front that I am in awe of the professional, enthusiastic and fit Townsville Hellenic Dancers – I could watch them all night. Actually all of the acts we saw were excellent – it was hard to choose a time to dart away from the action.
Gotta love those firework river reflections.
The Greek Fest has always been a wonderful family event and this year was no exception. My next year’s Greek Fest resolution is to hit the honey puff line first up…
For a quick Spring Tour of Riverway (complete with accommodation option) CLICK HERE.
Relaxing Wongaling Beach Style in North Queensland Australia
Ah, now this would be my kind of festival for the same reason you mentioned – the food! Calamari, Greek Salad, Cheese and Spinach pastries and Yiro’s. Yes please! Of course I might also be a leeeettle bit interested in the attractive female performers too *wink*. Fun times, Jan 🙂
You would really enjoy it Mike, and being a family event the fireworks were on early in the evening, lol. 🙂
Sounded divine. Good food and entertainment plus fireworks! I’m actually attending the Brisbane Good Food & Wine Festival this weekend so Iooking forward to sampling some yummy food and wines 🙂
I look forward to hearing about the Brisbane Festival Kathy. 🙂
Oh yeah I am so there for the food and to watch the dancing!! I love the idea of watching the entertainment while eating yummy food. Greeks sure know how to cook 🙂