City Odyssey

Guess who went to the annual Greek Festival in my city and didn’t take any pictures? Me! I was so busy queuing up for delicious food that I totally forgot. I’m such a terrible blogger, but I’ll do better next time!

I attended the 107th Annual Labor Day Greek Festival during Labor Day weekend with my partner. The festival took place from August 31st to September 2nd. It was held at the St. Nicholas Orthodox Greek Orthodox Church in the Central West End neighborhood. The festival is held annually to celebrate Greek culture. The weekend was filled with authentic Greek food, live music, dance performances and church tours. The event was free and open to the entire community.

The weather was perfect for an outdoor festival. As soon as we arrived at the church, it was clear that the turnout was fantastic. People were everywhere, enjoying the festivities. We went to queue for food in a space that had been transformed into a food hall. We ordered lamb shank and pilaf (Greek-style braised lamb shank with special sauce served over rice pilaf). We also ordered a gyro sandwich, a Greek salad, Grecian fries, and spanakopita (a pastry made with sheets of filo dough layered with savory spinach and cheese filling).

I was impressed by the young people who were helping with various tasks in the food hall. The hall was filled with different kinds of people and there was a strong sense of community. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, eating, drinking and chatting away. This is one of the reasons why I enjoy festivals and events. I like seeing people relaxed and having a good time.

After we left the food hall, we attempted to tour the church. Unfortunately, we arrived a bit too late and the tours had already ended. We headed outside and soaked in the lively atmosphere and enjoyed the band playing vibrant Greek music. With America being such a melting pot, it is always a joy to experience and share in cultures that are different from our own.

After enjoying the music and resisting the delicious aroma of the kebobs grilling nearby, it was time for us to leave. We decided to take a stroll to Forest Park across the road and found a shady spot near the lake. We enjoyed our delicious Greek food while relaxing and taking in the beautiful surroundings. It was the perfect way to end the day.

What are some festivals or cultural events you have recently attended? I’d like to hear about them.