(PHOTOS) Dancers break out moves at 37th annual Cheyenne Greek Festival

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Aromas consisting of oregano, garlic and custard sweetened the air inside the Frontier Park Exhibition Hall on Saturday as local residents chowed on delicious Greek cuisine at the 37th annual Cheyenne Greek Festival.

The festival, which ran Friday and Saturday, provided local residents with an offering of traditional Greek dishes such as calamari, gyro, pastitsio and decadent confections like baklava and flogeres. In addition, a variety of Greek music compelled attendees to dance with one another throughout the event’s duration.

The festival is hosted by Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Christian Church in Cheyenne, which provided a majority of the food for attendees. The event is solely run by hundreds of passionate volunteers, one of which is Taylor Olson, chair of the church’s Greek council. He has been volunteering since he was a kid.

“There’s a long-rooted history of the Greek community in Cheyenne,” Olson said. “We have a lot of people that are more Greek-like by heart, versus by their heritage. And that’s what’s awesome about it. … It’s just like, very family-oriented culture.”

The heart of Greece manifested on the dance floor Saturday afternoon. Parea Greek Dancers from Denver held hands, tossed their legs up and swung around the room as onlookers smiled and cheered on.

Funds raised at the event go toward supporting the church, as well as Cheyenne-based charities. Each year, Olsen and his team choose a different local organization to donate to as well. A portion of the festival proceeds will be distributed to Climb Wyoming. 

“Greeks really love being hospitable,” Olson said. “That’s why this event ends up being really important to us. … That’s really the driving force behind this and giving this energy in the room.”