VALLEY'S GREEK COMMUNITY SHARES ITS FOOD, CULTURE, ART.

Byline: Jennifer Hamm Staff Writer

NORTHRIDGE - The smell of gyro sandwiches and sound of traditional Greek music filled the air Saturday on the first day of the weekend-long Valley Greek Festival.

More than 30,000 people are expected to attend the event this weekend, an event that's in its 27th year at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

``It's like being Greek for a day, without the ocean,'' said Peter Andrews, chairman of the festival. ``It's the only thing missing.''

An ocean would have been nice, though, as temperatures hit 98 degrees, causing attendance to dip, organizers said. Many who braved the hot weather sought shade under awnings or air-conditioned relief in the church's hall.

Attendance was expected to pick up in the evening, however, as the sun went down and the temperatures cooled.

The heat didn't slow the fun for those looking to submerge themselves in Greek culture for the day.

Festivalgoers could munch on one of the more than 35,000 pastries that church members have spent the past two months cooking. Delicacies such as baklava and melomacarona - a honeyed macaroon with nuts - were kept fresh in a freezer.

Dinner plates with Greek chicken; pastitso, or Greek lasagna; spanakopita, a spinach- and cheese-filled pastry; and plenty of other dishes were on sale. More than 5,200 gyro sandwiches will be made by the time the festival ends Monday.

Cooking demonstrations were given throughout the day. Expert Greek cooks demonstrated the art of making stuffed grape leaves and piling sweet filling on thin phyllo dough to create baklava.

``Sometimes people think they are too hard to make but they aren't,'' said Evie Duschinsky, who helped demonstrate the Greek dishes.

Dozens of hard-to-find Mediterranean foods, such as Mastic gum used to flavor holiday breads, were also on sale.

Children tried their hand at mini bowling, competed to throw pingpong balls into tiny jars filled with water, and painted ceramics. Others took a tour of the Balboa Boulevard church.

Many listened to Greek bands and watched traditional dance performances.

``It's great,'' said Maria Krewedl of Agoura Hills. ``It's a nice place to spend an afternoon.''

Caliope Kamenos, 31 of Van Nuys enjoys the festival because it's a good way to share her church with others.

``I like the way the community comes together, celebrating our Greek heritage,'' she said.

The festival, at the church at 9501 Balboa Blvd., will continue through Monday from 1 to 9 p.m. Admission is free.

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Greek dancers called Kleftopoula, or thieves of the show, cool off after performing Saturday.

Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Staff Photographer