CARMEL — An organizer said she expects the attendance for the two days of the The relocated Indianapolis Greek Festival was in the 15,000 range, larger than previous events.

The 36th year of the festival was at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church over the weekend. This year’s festival was the first one in Carmel, since church relocated last year from Indianapolis’ Northside to 106th Street and Shelbourne Road in Hamilton County.

Gail Zeheralis, one of the three co-chairpeople for the event, said the event drew 11,000 to 12,000 in previous years. The weekend event had a $5 admission charge at the gate, but organizers today were awaiting a final count.

Zeheralis said church members were pleased with the results.

“It was unbelievably wonderful in terms of the community interest in coming to the festival,” Zeheralis said. “While we knew the core of our festival — hospitality, good food, dancing — would be the same going into the new location, we didn’t know what to expect in terms of crowds. And, of course, we’re always unsure of weather issues.”

But Zeheralis said when 4 p.m. Friday rolled around and the gates opened, people were streaming into the event.

“We know people had other choices for things to do this weekend in Central Indiana and our chief message to the community is truly thank you to taking time out to be part of our event,” Zeheralis said.

The church itself helped draw a crowd.

“People have watched it go up over the last year and it has a gold dome and I think people had been curious about what our faith is about and our facility,” Zeheralis said.

Zeheralis said the church holds about 600 people, and tours of the facility during the festival were full.