What is "the best way to experience Agios Mamas festival?"

I'll tell you the right steps one by one. No gatekeeping here.

Ever since I remember myself, Agios Mamas trade fair has been a landmark event for both the people of Halkidiki and summer second-homers. Here, one can find affordable goods (footwear, clothing, toys, etc.), and also a rich cultural programme. It's likely that this is not the greek culture you are expecting.

Agios Mamas is our genuine, less pretentious lifestyle. There is a lot of loud clarinet and drum street musicians, street barbecue, machine ice cream and whiskey. The closest we get to our Balkan Heritage one would say.

First and foremost: Agios Mamas Panigyri (festival) is located in the village of Agios Mamas, near Nea Moudania, and takes place during the week 28/08-04/09. You can find the location here: Εμποροπανυγύρι Αγίου Μάμαντος.

Here you can find the best steps to experience Agios Mamas festival.

1. Arrive around 23:00.

Arriving fashionably late semi-applies to this context. As you can see in no5, the life of the festival begins after dark... more like towards dusk. However, at 23:00 is a perfect time to find the space buzzing with people, find all the stands open, and make it a night out. Don't forget that 70% of the visitors are Greek and only 30% foreign visitors, and we all know that Greeks enjoy night time a tiny bit more!

2. Wander through the stalls

Must purchase: socks (around 20 pairs of black socks), underwear, perhaps a duvet cover, and a handful of books you didn't know you need. If you're feeling weird, you can buy fish for pets as well as tractors. We don't judge! Initially, the fair consisted solely of the buying and selling of livestock; in other words, it was a livestock fair, and it subsequently developed into a trade fair. This is the time you bump onto every single person you know: friends from high school, old-lovers whom you haven't seen for a while - and might have kids by now, your primary school teacher (mine is actually from Agios Mamas village), as well as the mayor.

3. Start the dinner with a machine ice-cream

During your walk through the stalls, you can't help but get an enormous machine ice cream giant. Is it the perfect swirl? The heatwave aftermath? You just need an ice-cream to begin!

3. Be young at the game station

With the sugar rush of the ice-cream cone it's time to enter to the play ground. Please, please, please, play like a child! Don't let anything hold you back! Go on the tagada and Ballerine and question your life choices, beat your friends in horse racing Roll-a-Ball Derby, sharpen your skills in shooting bottles and throwing rings on bottles, do unlimited rounds of bumper cars and let the intrinsic thoughts of running onto another car win! Finally, fight your vertigo with a ride on the Pirate Swinging ship, in which fun fact I gave my first kiss with my high school lover!

Check this video from the facebook page of Agios Mamas to get an idea of the vibes.

4. Dinner time: souvlakia

After that much energy spending, you're probably hungry. Agios Mamas is well equipped for that. This year new tavernas have been built to accommodate comfortably everyone. In total, there are now 13 tavernas in operation – more than in previous years – all of which hold the necessary licences as food and drink establishments, according to the chairman of the Agios Mamas Commercial and Cultural Centre SA and mayor of Propontida, Mr Emmanouil Karras. There is several taverns serving meat, especially souvlakia, as well as french fries, and retsina. Don't expect high culinary experience. If you're looking for that, come back to Afytos. In Agios Mamas we accept the conditions and focus on the retsina instead.

During the dinner time be prepared to be approached by flower boys and girls. Most likely children. Now I think about it, why not offer a flower to your friend? But keep in mind there might be pressure to buy. There is also high likelihood of receiving a solo concert by clarinetists straight into your ear. It's normal, but better bring party earbuds to be safe.

5. It's 4am and you're still here.

Prime time of Agios Mamas Panigyri. Around 2am, and all the way till the morning, the whole centre of the festival becomes a party. Loud music from the speakers, lots of tsifteteli, groups of seasonal workers on the tables and locals drinking whiskey. Best thing to do? Merge in! Meet the tables around you and hang out together till the morning. Don't forget to keep a person in the group sober to drive you back home safely!

6. Get loukoumades and halva for wrapping up the evening

Finally, it's time to call it a night. On your way to the car, you must stop for Halva Farsalon, a traditional semolina cake, and also Loukoumades, the syrupy dough balls which are eaten warm with cinnamon or nutella! Thank me later!

Honorable mention:

This is the cultural part of Agios Mamas, which is also the reason of the festival. Panigyri is taking place to honour St Mamas, who's church is in the middle of the festival area. The procession of the Saint will take place on 1 September, and holds a special place in the programme, whilst the church service will be held on the day of the feast itself, 2 September, in case you would like to join.

Things to be careful with:

• If I were you, I wouldn't bring infants. The music players insist on playing loud music on babies to get money from the visitors.
• Please be careful of your belongings. It's a busy area with high chances of getting pick-pocketed. Make sure your belongings are attached to you - best in a bag in your front.
• Hopefully this is unecessary, but don't drink and drive! Many accidents are happening every year. Let's be careful!
• There will be large crowds - Up to 10,000 visitors a day. Prepare emotionally!

For the rest, wishing you the best time during this week long festival! Let us know what you thought, and of course if you have any questions, get in touch with Konxa!

Images belong to Maria Anastasiadou (Facebook)