U.S. Olympic ice dancers Emilea Zingas and Vadym Kolesnik will greet crowds at the annual GreekFest grand opening Friday, Aug. 21, at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in Rochester Hills, adding a hometown-athlete twist to the three-day celebration of Hellenic food, music and dance.

The pair, who train in Novi and finished fifth at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, are scheduled to appear as honored guests at the 5 p.m. Friday grand opening and hold meet-and-greets in the Hellenic Room on Friday and Saturday, according to the official 2026 GreekFest program.

Zingas, 23, grew up in Grosse Pointe Farms; Kolesnik, 24, came to Michigan from Ukraine at 15 to train with coach Igor Shpilband. Their choreographer, Renee Petkovski, is an adjunct dance professor at Oakland University.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday, with the grand opening at 5 p.m. The Grosse Pointe South Marching Band will perform the national anthem and a Salute to America, and city leaders and area dignitaries will be introduced.

This year's festival also celebrates the United States' 250th anniversary alongside Greek heritage, according to the official GreekFest website.

Joan DeRonne, administrator of the Assumption Cultural Center, told C&G Newspapers the festival has become a yearly gathering for the surrounding community.

"The festival has become kind of like a neighborhood class reunion where everybody meets and sees people they haven't seen all year," DeRonne said.

The festival features Greek food and pastries, live music and traditional dance performances throughout the weekend. Menu offerings include lamb, rice pilaf and loukoumades, the honey-dipped doughnuts that are a festival staple. The festival website also lists frappes, baklava ice cream sundaes and other Greek specialties. Carry-out is available, and Wally's Frozen Custard will be on-site.

Entertainment includes Enigma Detroit Greek Band, Aegean Roots and performances by the Assumption Alpha & Omega and Sigma dancers, along with the Hellenic Society for the Performing Arts and Junior Hellenic Society.

The festival also includes a marketplace with Greek imports and artisan vendors, church tours, kids' rides and inflatables, magic and puppet shows, face painting and other family activities.

Rochester Hills Councilwoman Candice Rusie said in an email that she plans to volunteer with food service Sunday afternoon and enjoy Greek meals throughout the weekend.

Admission is $3 per day. Hours are 4–11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, and noon–7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23. The church is at 21800 Marter Road. More information is available at assumptionfestival.com or by calling (586) 779-6111.