Greek Festivals and Authentic Hospitality

Have you seen the movie “Big, Fat Greek Wedding?” You might have sensed that Greeks, like many other ethnic groups, take a great deal of pride in their heritage. They also take an equal amount of pride in being hospitable to their guests. Not to sound like the movie, but we even have a word for this; it is “filoxenia.”  Literally translated it means “love of strangers,” but it goes beyond this to showing genuine respect for others through extending gracious hospitality and generosity of spirit. This concept is central in Greek culture. It is why whenever you are invited into a Greek home you will be offered their best food and drink. You will be treated as an honored guest. It also doesn’t matter how large or small, the crowd–whether in their homes or at their parish festivals– Greek hosts will always extend a warm welcome!

Festival volunteers will greet you with a smile!

Greek festivals are held throughout the United States and by each and every one of the 25 Greek Orthodox parishes in the state of New Jersey.  Each parish takes particular pride in hosting a festival for their local community and in sharing their ethnic cuisine and culture. It is sort of like hosting a “big, fat Greek wedding” for the entire community! And, believe me, this is a community-wide effort! Months of preparation go into planning these massive fundraising events so that our guests will enjoy the best food, drink, and entertainment possible. This involves coordinating huge logistics and  donations of food and ingredients, and plenty of cooking, baking, and more cooking and baking!

Ladies of our Philoptochos Society prepare to bake over 40 trays of spanakopita

There is even a bit of friendly competition among parishes over whose festival food is the best. The cooking begins with groups of volunteers coming together in the spirit of camaraderie to show off their culinary talents. And, in the Greek-American community, there is no shortage of culinary talent! The diners in the area, (and you know New Jersey is famous for its local diners –the majority of which are Greek-owned), really contribute to the food donations efforts for every festival around the state.

As the newest Greek Orthodox parish in the state, St. Anna’s “OPA! Big, Fat Greek Festival” is the “new kid on the block.”  However, the popularity of their event (over 5,000 patrons each year) led to the Flemington Greek Festival being featured on a “Best Greek Festival in NJ” poll on BestofNJ.com. This year will be their 7th annual festival which will be held during Memorial Day weekend-May 27, 28 & 29 at Razberry’s Banquet Center, 834 Route 12, Frenchtown, NJ 08825. (Owner Deno Orginos has generously volunteered the grounds of Razberry’s for the parish to host the festival while they are in the process of a capital campaign to build their church and community center.) The festival hours will be Friday, May 27 (5-10 pm); Saturday, May 28 (12-10 pm); and Sunday, May 29 (12-9 pm). Guest can dine-in or take-out; parking and admission are free.

Speaking of culinary talent, St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Flemington, NJ, is fortunate to have John Kaldes, Parish Council President and author of Made in Greece: A Guided Tour of Greek Cooking (Publishing Works, 2004) overseeing the cooking and menu at their festival. All of the dishes that will be prepared and served at the festival contain the healthy, fresh ingredients that constitute the Mediterranean diet (click here to see why Greek food was named among the top ten healthiest cuisines).  Along with all of the traditional Greek dishes and desserts (spanakopita, moussaka, pastitsio, souvlaki, roasted lamb, gyros, baklava, etc.) a highlight from the menu this year will be the return of the OPA! Lamb Sliders , Mr. Kaldes’ Greek twist on the American hamburger, in honor of the holiday.

Greek festivals are not just destinations for “foodies” but also for wine enthusiasts. At St. Anna’s festival, George Staikos, noted sommelier and wine educator, will select a variety of Greek wines representing the different regions of Greece (including Boutari and Achaia Clauss among others) which will be paired to especially enhance the dishes served at the festival . Plans are underway to offer a Greek wine tastings during the weekend and to serve Mythos Greek beer along with domestic beers as well.  

Along with the culinary attractions, most festivals offer a full schedule of cultural entertainment throughout the weekend. Continuous Greek music and scheduled folk dancing performances by the parish youth dance troupes are customary. These groups will wear authentic costumes and perform traditional dances representing various regions of Greece. The OPA” Big, Fat Greek Festival over Memorial Day weekend will feature the traditional Greek festival entertainment as well as appearances by the Greek Warriors and other local community performers.

A Greek Warrior from the historical re-enactment group

Greek Dance Troupe in authentic Cretan costumes

 

Joanna Dodd owner of AP Motion Dance Company and a tribute to Athena

The “AGORA” Marketplace includes a shopper’s paradise of vendors offering  a selection of fine and costume jewelry, hand‐crafted items, clothing, and imported Greek specialties. Gourmet specialties include Greek extra virgin olive oils, coffee, honey, fruit preserves and spices. Religious displays and exhibits will also feature Byzantine style icons.

Greek festivals offer food and fun for the entire family, along with the added bonus of experiencing some ethnic cuisine and a variety of cultural attractions. The OPA! Big, Fat Greek Festival co-chairmen, Bill Panageas and Jorge Ferreira commented, “We are happy to once again offer a taste of Greece in the Hunterdon County, NJ area and are working hard to ensure that our festival continues to be one of the premiere food and cultural events celebrating ethnicity in this area of the state!”  Festival proceeds will support the building fund of Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church, which recently purchased 12 acres of land on Voorhees Corner Road, off the Flemington Circle, in Raritan Township. A ground-breaking is scheduled for September of this year.

For more information and directions to the OPA! Big “Fat” Greek Festival, please email flemingtongreekfestival@comcast.net,  or call the Parish Office at 908‐ 782‐9741.