Nearly sold-out Greek Night 2025 brings Mediterranean charm to the Prairies

MOOSE JAW — Opa! Moose Jaw’s fourth annual Greek Night was hailed as the best yet by organizers, as the community came together for an evening of food, music, dancing — and the joyous sights and sounds of smashing dinnerware.

Held recently at the Temple Gardens Centre, the popular fundraiser was organized by Tourism Moose Jaw (TMJ) and the Downtown Moose Jaw Association (DMJA). The event drew hundreds of guests, nearly selling out as people gathered to celebrate Greek culture while supporting local initiatives.

“I thought it was a lot of fun,” said Donna Fritzke, executive director of Tourism Moose Jaw. “We’ve had a lot of comments that this was the best year yet, and the food was absolutely amazing. People were dancing, singing, and winning prizes — it was just a lot of fun.”

The evening featured a full-course gourmet Greek meal prepared by staff at the Temple Gardens Centre, traditional dancing, and live music by Greek band Arkadia. Guests enjoyed Greek-inspired cocktails and a performance by Wonderland, dubbed “Saskatchewan’s party band.”

One standout moment was the plate-smashing ceremony — a first for many in attendance, including Fritzke herself.

“The plate smashing was very cool,” she said. “I’ve never experienced that before, and (everyone I spoke with said they were) having a lot of fun.”

To make it happen, Fritzke personally crafted over 300 plaster plates in the weeks leading up to the event.

Although the final fundraising total has yet to be confirmed, previous Greek Night events have collectively raised around $90,000. This year’s proceeds will once again be divided between TMJ and the DMJA to support various projects within the community.

Moose Jaw’s downtown has already benefited from past Greek Night events, with initiatives including new Christmas light displays and other beautification efforts.

Community support has been central to the event’s success. Fritzke emphasized that this generosity continues to make the fundraising event possible.

“Moose Jaw is such an amazing community and is just so generous with their time and support,” she said. “So many people came out to support (TMJ) and the (DMJA). It was really incredible.”

The evening also featured a familiar local twist on a classic fundraising game. Instead of “heads or tails,” guests tried their luck at “rack or rump,” choosing between a moose’s antlers or tail — a nod to the city’s beloved mascot, Mac the Moose. For many, the packed dance floor was a sign of a night well spent.

Greek Night 2025 was presented by the Moose Jaw Funeral Home and made possible thanks to the generosity of several local sponsors, including the Moose Jaw Express and SaskPromo.com.

Tourism Moose Jaw is located at 450 Diefenbaker Drive and can be reached at 306-693-8097. For more information visit TourismMooseJaw.com or “Tourism Moose Jaw” on Facebook.

To learn more about the DMJA, visit DowntownMooseJaw.ca.