Cape & Islands News

Eating the night away at St. George's Greek festival

   The Greek Festival is all about the wonderful cusine of these sunny isles.

"Life is too short not to be Greek" on Cape Cod in July
The 25th Annual Festival was this past weekend

By Diana Woebcke 

Going to St Georges Grecian Festival is like savoring a piece a baklava without worrying about the extra calories.  No need for tourists or Cape Codders to make an expensive trip to the Greek Isles when it is right here in Hyannis.   And today is the last day to enjoy the festivities:  food, spirits, music, imports from Greece and very special greek pastry made and served with a smile by women from the church: baklava (phyllo dough layered with honey and walnuts), kourabiethes (shortbread butter cookies with powdered sugar) and Rizogalo or greek rice pudding.   A slice of Greek culture, cuisine and heritage and more can be found on the grounds of St. George's Greek Church in Hyannis.

Location: St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Route 28 & Strawberry Hill Road, Centerville. 508-775-3045
As you walk up the driveway and through the parking lot the air is thick with the smell of roasting marinated beef for shish - kabab.  It is traditional Greek fare, along with stuffed grape leaves, spanikopita (spinach and cheese pie), roasted half chicken, greek salad.  There is a tent devoted solely to Gyro's (pronounced guy-ro) - a pita bread rolled sandwich with seasoned beef, topped with onions and tsatziki sauce.  The shish- kabab meat is marinated for 30 hours before being open roasted with vegetables on a charcoal grill outside, constantly being turned over to retain its moisture and tenderness.  There is greek coffee inside in the far corned of the room filled with boutique items and more greek foods - like imported olive oil and special Greek cookies and other culinary delicasies.

"Life is too short not to be Greek", reads the t-shirt on a table at one of the many boutiques inside the church.  There are several jewelry tables with both imported gold and silver jewelry.  Books and CD's from Greece are next to a corner filled with art work.  There are more t-shirts and lovely sun-dresses,  ornamental vases and a wide variety of other great things to buy from Greece.  Down a hallway leading to the chapel is a room marked "attic treasures," stuff to rummage through like books, kitchen items, clothing and glass and table ware. There's even a raffle for a chance to win a trip to Greece.

If you go to the back of the church there is an area to make a small donation and light a candle.  Inside a member of the church is available to give an informal talk about the church with questions and answers toward the end.  Ornately designed with original, brightly colored frescos brought directly from Greece, as well as colorful stained glass windows.  Its a moment to sit and rest and enjoy the beauty of the church.

At 4pm on Sunday get a rare glimpse of a Greek folk dancing given by the St. George Dance Troupe performed by some of the younger members of the church. They are as talented as they are energetic and fun to watch with traditional costume.

Join the crowd and clap along to timeless Greek music. Traditionally audience members will place dollar bills in the ground during or after a performance to mark their appreciation.

Many Cape Codders and summer visitors make it a point to be a part of the festival every year.  Some large extended Greek families like the Grigoropoulis and Colovos family from the Boston area come every year, filling their plates with food and enjoying the family atmosphere in the large tent outside. (pic 0032)
   
A typical phrase you hear walking around is "boy am I stuffed."  The food is that good. So, whatever you do, don't leave your appetite at home.