3-DAY FESTIVAL CELEBRATES GREEK CULTURE, TRADITION.Byline: Virginia Gonzalez Daily News Staff Writer Arnie and Anne Guminski now call Colorado home, but the couple is drawn irresistibly to the Valley every Memorial Day weekend: To celebrate life the Greek way. The former Northridge residents got hooked on the annual Valley Greek Festival A Greek festival or Greek Fest is an annual celebration of Greek culture presented by many ethnic Greek-American communities and organization in the United States and Canada, particularly Greek Orthodox churches. at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church stood across Liberty Street from the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, USA. It was completely destroyed in the September 11, 2001 attacks when the South Tower collapsed. and haven't been able to kick the habit. ``Since 1981, we've come to the festival for great music and dancing with family and friends,'' said Arnie Guminski, taking a break from a lively Greek dance. ``Who could turn this kind of fun down - we just love it,'' Anne Guminski added. The three-day festival, which takes place on the grounds of the Balboa Boulevard church, is expected to attract 50,000 people. The event continues today and Monday from 1 to 9 p.m. On the school playground are myriad booths with food, clothing and jewelry aplenty a·plen·ty adj. In plentiful supply; abundant: "There were warning signs aplenty for their candidates as well" Michael Gelb. . Sporting a black wool captain's hat and navy blazer, John Halekakis smiled as he watched festivalgoers devouring a plateful of his version of loucoumathes, a fried pastry. ``I love the atmosphere,'' he said. ``I keep the traditional culture.'' Not far away, the St. Nicholas elementary school elementary school: see school. library was transformed into ``pastry central.'' The parish's Women's Auxiliary Club put the finishing touches finishing touches finish npl the finishing touches → der letzte Schliff finishing touches npl → ultimi ritocchi mpl to freshly made melomacarona, diples, korona and other filo FILO - stack dough-based delicacies. Dozens of metal trays lined with 25-layer filo desserts stuffed with nutmeg and sprinkled with walnuts, ground cinnamon and distinctive spices were neatly organized atop school tables. To Mary Costopoulos, the year of planning and weekly auxiliary club meetings to compare family pastry recipes was worth the effort. ``Later next week, I know one of the ladies is going to say, `What are we going to do now?' '' she said. Event organizers also produced a tape-guided tour of the elaborately adorned church building after receiving numerous requests from enthusiasts. Three tours will be offered today and Monday. A parish priest Parish priest may refer to
Zaferis said that the parish sponsors the festival to give the community a sense not only of Greek tradition but also the warmth of its people. Over 550 parish volunteers help put together the festival, he said. The church is at 9501 Balboa Blvd. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1) Festivalgoers kick up their heels at the annu al St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Saturday. (2) Angela Fotos serves homemade Greek pastries at the festival. The annual event will continue today and Monday. Gus Ruelas/Daily News |
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