The Original Greek Festival is back for its 53^rd year on the grounds of Montrose's Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. The volunteer-driven, four-day celebration of Greek heritage brings together the music, dancing, culture, religion, and—of course—food and wine of Greece.

Much like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Original Greek Festival runs on volunteer power—more than 600 of them in fact, taking part in everything from cooking to booth set up to serving food. That doesn’t include the staff of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, who work in tandem with the festival’s board to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. We explored a little of just how much goes into getting this fall favorite off the ground in terms food, drink, and festivities. Spoiler: There's a lot of butter involved.

26,460

Keftedes (Greek meatballs)

20,872

koulourakia (Greek Easter cookies)

12,209

kourambiedes (Greek Christmas cookies)

1,300

pounds of flour, just for the loukoumades (Greek doughnuts)

900

loaves of tsoureki (sweet bread)

16,316

pieces of baklava, that sweet dessert of nuts and honey, made from 650 pounds of phyllo dough and 360 pans of pistachio.

1,200

pounds of butter to make all the baked goods, combined

14,779

spanskopites, in all their spinach-y goodness

12,871

tyropites, an easily munchable pie, constructed from yet another 960 pounds of phyllo dough.

9,400

dolmades, or stuffed grape leaves

8,411

finikia cookies

500

pounds of tenderloin for souvlaki skewers

600

cases of wine (approximately 7,200 bottles)

225

dancers, who perform stunning traditional dances

16

different vendors in the Agora

4

days to enjoy the festival.  

The Original Greek Festival runs from Oct. 3–6. Tickets available at gate for $5. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 3511 Yoakum Blvd. 713-526-5377.  More info at greekfestival.org.