Greek Fest Raises Funds for Multilingual School

More than 15,000 people were expected to dine, drink, shop and play Labor Day weekend at the ’s fifth annual North Shore Greek Fest.

While Ravinia traffic and rain meant reduced crowds Saturday, the academy raised more funds through adding a drive thru where people on the go could pick up gyros, baklava, saganaki and other food provided by local vendors including Skokie’s Hub’s and Grecian Kitchen Delight.

“This is by far our largest fundraising event of the year,” said Jim Logothetis, president of the Hellenic American Academy’s board of trustees.

The Hellenic American Academy’s Socrates Day School offers multilingual education for kids in Pre-K through eighth grade. The main program teaches Modern Greek and Greek culture, with older students learning Latin and ancient Greek. The school also has 14 Serbian students and a Serbian teacher who provides cultural and language education. While the school primarily caters to Greek- and Serbian-American families, it also draws Indian, Russian and Jewish students.

“I think they realize the benefits of a small classroom and bilingual education,” said principal Angie Gronkowski.

Gronkowski said the festival always brings in new enrollments. This year was no exception, with five families signing up to attend the school’s Saturday and evening programs.

“You wouldn’t believe how many tours I’ve given to parents,” she said Sunday. “They’re very interested in our programs and they love that their kids are going to learn about the Greek culture and language and keeping that alive.”

The event is staffed by parent volunteers, who spent the weekend manning the admission booth and selling food and tickets for the school’s annual cash raffle.

“What they do with our kids here academically and culturally, we feel blessed,” said parent and board member Mike Sarris of Deer Park. “Many parents spend countless hours volunteering for this and other fundraisers.”

Along with raising money, Sarris said he also sees the event as an educational opportunity.

“It gives us a chance to showcase what we do here at the school and gives the kids a chance to see the culture we’re trying to perpetuate and share it with the public,” he said.

Eugenio Leaman of Deerfield spent the day at the festival with his family, dining on grilled octopus and chatting at one of the sunny tables near the stage while  DJ played Greek tunes.

“It exposes you to the Greek culture, Greek food and Greek music,” Leaman said. “It’s a thing you don’t necessarily see every day in the North Shore.”