Running out of food is a sign of a good party, or at least that was what folks said at the Pikes Peak region’s 16th annual Greek Festival that culminated Sunday, when every pound of lamb, chicken and gyro meat had sold out an hour before the event was scheduled to end.

More than 1,500 people indulged in food, music and dance at the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church, 2215 Paseo Road, from Friday to Sunday, the highest turnout in the three-day festival’s history, said event coordinator Norm Struck.

“We have sold out of 256 pounds of roasted lamb, 96 pounds of roasted chicken, and 600 pounds of gyro meat,” said Struck, who has been at the helm of the cultural event for 12 years. “We have always had leftover food, but this year that won’t be the case.

“That’s a great feeling.”

The parking lot surrounding the stark-white church building bustled with children playing in a bouncy castle and people mingling at vendor booths offering Greek culinary favorites, souvenirs and crafts.

Children and teens from the Idomeneas Cretan Youth, a traditional Greek dancing club from Denver, performed two dances for a crowd that cheered, clapped and chanted along to the music.

Father Dennis Schutte stood inside the church, greeting each member of the congregation by their first name, shaking each hand.

“One great virtue we can offer the community is hospitality, offering people something other than what they usually experience,” Schutte said. “In Greece everyone can feel the warmth, the hospitality that is so characteristic of our culture. We want everyone to feel welcome.”

The festival is a fundraiser for the parish, but a portion of the proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project, Schutte said, adding that his love of the military hits close to home. Schutte’s oldest son is in the Air Force and his youngest son begins Air Force basic training Monday.

“The military is an important part of our community and our parish. We’ve got members who’ve been to Afghanistan and Iraq, and thankfully no one has been injured physically while deployed,” Schutte said.

“We felt that a portion of what we raised should go to serve our military, to thank them.”

Sheri Davis, 57, isn’t Greek and isn’t a member of the church, but she has come to the festival for the past five years. She said it is a perfect example of the cultural diversity that Colorado Springs can offer.

“The food is always fantastic and everyone is welcoming and friendly,” Davis said, taking a bite out of baklava. “I just love that in my neighborhood, I have the opportunity to come and learn about a different culture and enjoy it.”

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Contact Andrea Sinclair: 636-0235

Twitter @GazetteAndrea

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Every year in August, persons of Greek descent and those who want to be, get an opportunity to experience Greek culture at the Greek Festival. John Andretson and Chris Andretson (left to right) perform a traditional Greek dance with the Idomeneas Cretan Youth from Denver on Sunday, August 24, 2014. The three-day festival was held at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Julie O’Toole lights a candle as a prayer for her father who is serving in Afghanistan while she was attending the annual Greek Festival on Sunday, August 24, 2014. Every year in August, the Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church holds the festival and gives the public an opportunity to learn more about Greek culture. ONLINE PHOTO GALLERY (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Every year in August, persons of Greek descent and those who want to be, get an opportunity to experience Greek culture at the Greek Festival. Demetra Matzakos and Mary Johns (left to right) share a conversation while dancing with the Idomeneas Cretan Youth from Denver on Sunday, August 24, 2014. The three-day festival was held at Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church. (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

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Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)

Greek Festival (The Gazette/Jerilee Bennett)