Fifty Years of “Opa!” First Utah Bank Celebrates the Salt Lake City Greek Festival
Where:
Holy Trinity Cathedral
279 South 300 West
Salt Lake City, UTWhen:
September 11-13, 2026
Friday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Salt Lake City Greek Festival is back for its 50th anniversary, and this year’s celebration is sure to be another joyful, vibrant gathering with our local Greek community. From September 11–13, Holy Trinity Cathedral will honor its cultural heritage with music, dancing, and incredible food. And once again, First Utah Bank is proud to be part of this tradition.
“Our connection to the festival goes back to 2018, when we first started outfitting their point-of-sale system,” says Curtis Beames, Vice President of Merchant Services at First Utah Bank. “Since then, we’ve stayed close to the Greek Orthodox community here in Salt Lake, and it’s a relationship that’s grown into something more than a sponsorship.”
Experiencing The Magic Of Greek Hospitality
Beames has spent the better part of a decade running the festival’s check-out stations. That’s nearly 40 terminals spread across food lines and vendor booths, serving tens of thousands of people. He says that for every First Utah Bank team member who volunteers at the festival, it doesn’t take long to feel like part of the family.“They’re so family-centric, so family-focused, and once you’re part of what they do and who they are, it’s hard to step away,” says Beames.
That hospitality extends to everyone who comes to the festival, Greek heritage or not. “Imagine going somewhere with your grandma or grandpa, your aunt or uncle—someone who’s just going to take you under their wing and show you the ropes. That’s what it feels like getting to know this community.”
And if you’re worried about not knowing your spanakopita from your loukoumades, don’t be. “Everybody’s a little bit Greek,” Beames says. “It’s in there somewhere. Don’t worry, they’ll help you find it.”
What to expect this year
This year marks a special occasion at the festival, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. You can expect mouthwatering, traditional Greek cuisine, like gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita, baklava, and loukoumades, as well as folk dancing and live music with the entire greek community, alongside friends, family, and neighbors.
If it’s your first time attending the festival, Beames’ advice is to pace yourself. “The food is fabulous, and the people are great,” he says. “But make sure you save room for dessert.”
For hours, ticket pricing, and the full schedule, visit saltlakecitygreekfestival.com. We’ll see you at the festival! Opa!