St. George the Great Martyr Orthodox Church
A parish of the Orthodox Church in America
This year's festival

This year's festival will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2023. More information about our 2023 festival will come soon!

About our festival

On the grounds of our church: A Winter Texan and Family-Friendly Event! International Festival - Free Admission, Free Parking, Free Children's Activities, Free Tours and Entertainment.

This fundraising event also features the SALE of International foods, soups and ethnic baked goods, including the church’s famous homemade baklava, baked goods, spanikopita, stuffed grape leaves and much more.

We usually have:

* Russian Tea and Coffee Shoppe features Gourmet Russian Teas, Coffees & Cold Drinks, Plus Homemade Baked Goods.

* Greek Grill serving skewers of pork Souvlaki with Pita Bread and Tzatziki Sauce.

* International Specialty Food Booths include favorites from Greece, Lebanon, Mexico, Russia and Eastern Europe.

* Hot International Soups, Ready-to-Eat Refrigerated items and Frozen Take-Home Foods from around the world (Bring a Cooler!)

* Quality Local and International Arts and Crafts, Icons and Books, plus gift items will be available for purchase, as well as handmade St. George Soaps, toiletries, Monastery Made Beeswax Candles and gourmet St. George Magnificent Mustards, Homestyle Preserves and more.

* Free Church Tours, Icon Art & Theology Tours & Talks Throughout the Day.

* Free Entertainment Includes: Live Music, Eastern European Christmas Carols and Dancing scheduled throughout the entire day.

* Free Activities and Information Booths from Community Organization, including: Museum of South Texas History, International Museum of Arts & Sciences, Food Bank of RGV Community Gardens and Pharrmers Market, Texas Master Naturalists and More!

* Free Parking!!!

With very rare interruptions, our festival has been a common "winter" presence in the valley for more than 40 years! You can find some of the announcements for it from the '80's here.

Vendors & Booths
2023 Confirmed Festival Vendors & Booths

 

St. George Homestyle Products & Culinary Herbs – Homestyle Jelly & Jam, Magnificent Mustards, Herb & Spiced Culinary Sugars, Raspberry Wine & Other Herbal Vinegars, Herbal Cooking Salts, Herbal Bath Salts & Toiletries http://stgeorgetx.org/vinegars.html

St. George Handcrafted Soap
Olive Oil Based Herb & Spice Scented & Unscented Soaps - Bars of Soap or Bars in Gift Bags - Perfect for home use & for special gifts.http://stgeorgetx.org/soap.html

St. George Bookstore
Religious Items, Books, Children's Books, Icons, Incense, Burners & Assessories, Crosses, Candles, Handmade Jewelry & Many International Gift Items

Monastery Made Beeswax Candles
100% Beeswax Candles made at Orthodox Monasteries in the USA- Tapers, Votives, Tea Lights & Gift Candles.http://www.saintsmaryandmarthaorthodoxmonastery.org/

St. George International Baked Goods
Handcrafted Baklava & Many Other International Baked Goods, Cookies, Breads, Cakes, Pies & More. http://stgeorgetx.org/festivalfoodsprices.html

St. George International Specialty Foods
Some Frozen; Some Cold/Ready to Eat, including Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmadas), Stuffed Cabbage Rolls, Greek Pastitsio, Greek Tiropita & Spanikopita & Piroghies http://stgeorgetx.org/festivalfoodsprices.html

St. George International Cold Foods
To Eat Either on Site or “To Go” including Tabouli Salad, Hummous, Babaganouj, Homemade Yogurt & Tzatziki Sauce. http://stgeorgetx.org/festivalfoodsprices.html

St. George International Soups
Hot Specialty Soups from Around the World - To Eat On Site or To Go!

St. George Greek Grill
Beef & Vegetable Souvlaki Skewers, Lamb Souvlaki Skewers Served with a Pita Bread or Tortilla & Tasty Greek Tzatziki Sauce


St. George Church Tours - See the inside of an Orthodox Church and Learn a Bit of Church History. Tours Hourly throughout the day. http://stgeorgetx.org/

Volunteer!

The festival cooking and preparation will take place on various Saturdays starting in October. Please volunteer for the festival here. Once the volunteer form is cvompleted, volunteers will be notified of the cooking and preparation schedule, as well as of specific needs for the Friday before and the Saturday of the festival itself.

Please email stgeorgepharrtx@gmail.com if you have questions.

Information for vendors and sponsors

Would you like to be a vendor or have a booth at our 2023 International Festival?  The types of booths we are most interested in include:

  • International & Culturally Diverse Items
  • Wholesome Homemade or Locally Produced/Grown Food
  • Specialty Gifts or Craft Products
  • Imported Clothing & Jewelry
  • Orthodox Icons
  • Christmas or Nativity Holiday Goods
  • Gift Items
  • Local Cultural & Civic Organizations


Questions?  Please email the International Festival Director at stgeorgepharrtx@gmail.com.

Information for entertainers
We seek performers for our upcoming festival!  We offer free performances all day to our attendees and would love you to showcase your talents!  

REMINDER: This is a family-friendly, church-sponsored event.  Please email stgeorgepharrtx@gmail.com if you have questions.

Please complete this Performer Interest Form to submit your act:


Mailing Address
St. George Orthodox Church
PO Box 667
Pharr, TX 78577
Location
704 W Sam Houston
Pharr, TX 78577
Email and Phone
stgeorgepharrtx@gmail.com
956-781-6114 (Phone)