Here are five picks for the weekend:
- Three days, countless reasons to say “opa!” One of Worcester’s longest-running cultural celebrations returns Friday to Sunday, June 19-21, as the 25th annual St. Spyridon Greek Festival takes over Russell Street across from Elm Park. The three-day event features authentic Greek food ranging from braised lamb shank and moussaka to gyros and village-style meatballs, along with a bakery filled with baklava, loukoumades, melamakarona and other traditional treats. Visitors can enjoy live Greek music, dancing performances, wine tastings, cathedral tours, a marketplace, family activities and a full bar serving Greek beers, wines and sangria. New this year is curbside pickup for those who want the food without the festival crowds. Celebrating both the festival’s 25th edition and the community’s 50 years of tradition, it’s one of Worcester’s signature summer events.
- On wristband, dozens of delectable temptations: For one evening, Shrewsbury Street transforms into a mile-long tasting menu as nearly 30 restaurants serve up samples during the annual Taste of Shrewsbury Street on Thursday, June 18. For $25, attendees can spend the evening strolling Worcester’s Restaurant Row and sampling everything from Italian favorites and steakhouse specialties to tacos, burgers, seafood, desserts and craft beer. The event runs from 5-11 p.m., with food service from 6-9 p.m., and regularly draws thousands of people for what has become one of Worcester’s signature summer traditions. Read our full preview for participating restaurants, shuttle information and more.
- A passport for your ears: Take a musical journey across the Near and Middle East when the Ed Melikian Ensemble performs at the FrontRoom inside WCUW 91.3 FM on Sunday, June 21, at 6 p.m. Led by oud player Ed Melikian, the group performs traditional Armenian, Greek, Turkish and Arabic music, blending centuries-old sounds with the talents of some of the region’s most accomplished musicians. Melikian, a longtime fixture on Worcester’s music scene, is joined by Gary Kashmanian on dumbeg, Harry Bedrossian on keyboards and Mal Barsamian on clarinet and saxophone. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and tickets are $20 at the door. Light refreshments will be available, or guests may bring their own.
- More than a holiday, a history lesson in motion: Worcester’s Juneteenth observance spans two days of celebration, reflection and community gathering. The weekend begins with a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday, June 19, at the YWCA Central Massachusetts in Salem Square, followed by the 29th Annual Black Heritage Juneteenth Festival on Saturday, June 20, from noon to 8 p.m. at Institute Park. The festival features live entertainment, food vendors, local businesses, community organizations and family-friendly activities while honoring the history of Juneteenth and the end of slavery in the United States. Now in its 29th year, the event has become one of Worcester’s longest-running cultural traditions and a celebration of Black history, resilience and achievement. Read our story to learn more about the history behind Juneteenth and what to expect this weekend.
- Chrome, horsepower and dad jokes encouraged: If Father’s Day plans call for classic cars and barbecue, Off The Rails has you covered. The 3rd Annual Father’s Day Car Show rolls into Off The Rails on Sunday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., bringing together vehicles of every make, model and era for a daylong celebration benefiting Irreverent Warriors. Beyond the cars, the event features live music, vendors, games, tattoo artists, a pinup contest, food trucks, barbecue and a full bar. Whether you’re a gearhead who knows every engine spec by heart or someone who just likes shiny things with wheels, there’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Admission is $15.
For more events, visit the Discover Central Massachusetts events calendar.
Have an event, news tip, idea for a feature, information, joke, favorite recipe or anything else you’d like to tell us about? You should. Contact carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
