Greece Performing Arts Society
Jerry Williams Creative Arts & Framing
Greece Community & Senior Center
Spirit of America 4th of July Festival
Arts & Entertainment
Greece offers much to do and see to its nearly 100,000 residents as well as a wealth of visitors. From the 35,000 sq. ft. library to festivals, dinner theaters and even its own performing arts center individuals and families can always find some form of entertainment in the town of Greece.
Greece is home to two libraries. The Barnard Crossing Branch, located at 2780 Dewey Avenue, serves the southeastern section of Greece. At 2 Vince Tofany Blvd. (off Long Pond Road) is the Greece Public Library, a 35,000 sq. ft. building that is both bright and spacious with cozy reading nooks, an extensive magazine section, a computer section with free Wi-Fi, a used book store, a children’s garden, a gazebo, a 20 ft. long tropical fish aquarium, and reading programs for all age groups. This library has been recently renovated to include a new program room, a new teen space and an expanded quiet study area as well as new carpeting, paint and furniture. Visit www.greecelibrary.org for more information about the Greece Public Library.
Just north of the GreeceTown Hall, at 595 Long Pond Road, is an 1870’s restored farm house that helps to preserve the past for the future; it is the residence of the Greece Historical Society & Museum. The Greece Historical Society formed in 1969. The society also serves as the Town Historian. The museum is open to the public on Sundays from 1:30pm – 4:00pm. Historical Society hours are Monday through Wednesday from 9:30am until noon or by appointment and the Town Historian’s office is open Monday’s from 9:30am until noon or by appointment. Admission is free to members and a small donation is appreciated from non-members. Each year, the society hosts a “Strawberry & Dessert Festival” in the month of June. More information about the Greece Historical Society & Museum can be found at www.greecehistoricalsociety.net.
The Greece Athena Performing Arts Center
(part of Greece Athena High School), located at 800 Long Pond Road, has a state-of-the-art stage system, theatrical lighting system, a sound system that mimics Broadway capability, and a main speaker clusters that provide true stereo mix in all 1600 seats in the house. It is the home of the award winning Greece Athena Art Department’s theatrical performances. They also host other concerts and performances throughout the year. For ticket and show information visit http://gamstheater.greeceny.org
The Greece Performing Arts Society (GPAS)
Formed in 1969 it is one of the oldest community-established art groups in New York State. The organization formed to foster the development of an appreciation of the performing arts in the community. They make up the Greece Choral Society, the Greece Community Orchestra, the Greece Jazz Band, the Greece Summer Theatre, and the Greece Symphony. The Notable Garden Tour and Plant Sale is open to the public and takes place during the month of June. You will also find GPAS concerts one Sunday a month from June through September at the Summer Concert Series outdoors on the Greece Town Hall Campus. Learn more about GPAS and their performances at http://greeceperformingarts.org/. The annual Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony is also sponsored by the Town of Greece.
Jerry Williams Creative Arts & Framing located on Long Pond Road, north of Latta Road, features work of local artists as well as gifts and cards for all occasions. Family fun can include Laser Quest in RidgemontPlaza, Chuck E. Cheese on West Ridge Road and Regal Cinema (12 screen movie theatre) located inside of The Mall at Greece Ridge.
With an average of 17,000 visitors monthly the Greece Community & Senior Center located next to the Greece Town Hall offers community use rooms, a full service kitchen, a senior’s room, activity rooms, an art room, a gymnasium, an elevated running track, an exercise room, as well as locker rooms. The center offers programs for all age groups including a daily lunch program, Monday through Friday, for senior citizens.
Our Mother of Sorrows Festival (June)
Each year Our Mother of Sorrows School holds a festival during the second week of June. The festival runs from 6:00pm until 10:00pm on Thursday night, 6:00pm until 11:00pm on Friday night and from 2:00pm until 11pm on Saturday. It is held in the school parking lot located at 1777 Latta Road. The festival offers amusement rides, games, prizes and festival type food including cotton candy and fried dough.
Fishing Derby for Youth (June)
The KIWANIS Club of Greece holds its annual “Fishing Derby for Youth” usually the third Saturday in June. The derby is open to kids with special needs. Immediately following the fishing derby kids enjoy a pizza party and special recognition ceremony.
Annual Independence Day Celebration (July)
Grace & Truth SportsPark, located at 373 North Greece Road is home of the annual Independence Day Celebration. Attendees of this event can look forward to the “Military Tribute to America’s Heroes”. The Independence Day celebration is family oriented and offers music, kid-friendly activities, food at old-fashioned prices, and fireworks. You’ll even find historical reenactors such as Betsy Ross, Abe Lincoln, Uncle Sam, and more. The park is drug, alcohol, tobacco, and pet free. For more information on this celebration visit www.thespiritofamerica.info
Greece Regional Chamber Foodie Music Fest
In 2017, the Greece Regional Chamber launched the first in its new Foodie Music Fest series, Bluegrass at the Blue Barn, held at the new Blue Barn Cidery on Manitou Road. Billed as a celebration of music, food, and spirit, the event featured live music from Linabelle Bluegrass Band, a virtual art exhibit by Photographer James Montanus, square dancing by Belles 'N' Beaus, musical selections from Greece Performing Arts Society's then upcoming theatre production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, business and nonprofit exhibits, and a cornucopia of food and drink, beginning with an antipasto table, followed by a full dinner menu by Forest Hill Catering, and topped off by dessert and coffee from sponsoring bakeries and vendors, including Abbott's Frozen Custard of Greece, Dunkin' Donuts (Long Pond & Ridgeway), Gaetano's Bakery, Gruttadauria's Bakery, Tasteful Connections Catering, McDonald's (Urena Corporation), and Wegmans. Plans are under way for additional signature community events that celebrate food, music, the arts and business.
Barnard Fireman’s Parade & Carnival
During the last week of June in the Dewey Avenue area, join the Barnard Fire Department for their annual Fireman’s Parade & Carnival. These family-friendly events have been a popular addition to Greece for many years.
Be sure to check the calendar and the Town of Greece website at www.greeceny.gov for additional information and other events and happenings and in the town of Greece.
