What takes more than 750 pounds of nuts, 700 pounds of filo dough and 1000 pounds of butter? It's the Arkansas Greek Food Festival. Held every May on the grounds of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Napa valley Drive, the Greek Food Fest is a nutritionist's nightmare, but it remains one of the most popular festivals in central Arkansas.

Food

Of course, there are baklava and gyros, but there are also almond jewel cookies (butter cookies rolled in crushed almonds with a apricot center), battered and deep-fried calamari, hummus, pasta flora (which isn't pasta at all, but a shortbread cookie with strawberry filling) and cheese stuffed tiropeta. It's entirely possible to eat yourself into a stupor before you realize it.

The Greek Food Fest isn't just about prepared food, though. There are grocery booths with authentic Greek recipe ingredients,cheese, Greek olive oil, olives and halvah. There are also craft merchants selling everything from jewelry to Russian nesting dolls.

Entertainment

Entertainment also brings crowds to the Greek Food Fest. There are dance troups and local and national singers. Past entertainers have included the Greek American Folk Dance Society, the Ukranian Folk Singers, the Dubkee Middle Eastern Dancers and the Dancers of India. There is also face-painting, crafts and candy walks for kids. If you don't think you can talk your child into trying a gyros, the Greek Food Fest has hot dog and nachos for sale in the kiddie area.

The Church

If you eat your fill and danced until you're ready to drop, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church is open for tours. Of special note is the hand-carved icon screen that is the width of the entire altar.

Charities

The Greek Food Fest is a great time, and it serves as an opportunity for Little Rock natives to learn more about Greek culture and the Orthodox church but it also raises money for several charities including Alzheimer's Arkansas and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.