A Grecian Getaway

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Gregory Edison
October 12, 2009
Filed under A & E, Community

The weekend of  October 9^th-11^th held many events for the citizens of North Augusta, including several festivals, and a parade. Nevertheless, the one I most enjoyed was the Greek Festival.  Matthew Shaffer (11) agree saying, “It was the most fun I’ve had in years!” The Greek Festival was comprised into three basic parts, the food and entertainment, the market section, and the Church itself.

In the market section you would find traditional Greek jewelry, imported directly from the festival’s titular country, clothing, such as the belly-dancing coin scarf the festival’s dancers wear, as well as food preparation products such as spices and mixes for creating Grecian food.

The food section, however, is where the Greek festival really shines past its yearly competition. Traditional Greek foods were served including: gyros, Souviaki, Greek potatoes, and pastries such baklava for dessert. Says Rachel Hicks(11) “The gyros were really good.”

Even if you’re running short on time, you wouldn’t be left out; the festival offers a drive-thru service.  In addition to the food, the entertainment was also excellent.  While eating in the outdoors under a tent, you were serenaded by Greek music performed by One Night in Athens, a trio of musicians that specializes in Greek music. As well as treating your ears, the festival also caters to your eyes. Throughout the day festival staffers perform traditional Greek dances to the music provided by One Night in Athens.

For a more esoteric experience, tours of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church were also offered during the festival. These tours focused on the sanctuary’s iconography, symbols in painting, including a workshop with the Church’s own Reverend Anthony Salzaman, an Orthodox Byzantine iconographer, a showcase of the temple’s own icons, and a small vending station of literature on the topic, and a small selection of icons for sale. Victoria Cromwell enjoyed the Church’s iconography adding, “it was really beautiful”.

The Greek festival is in its nineteenth year. The event is sponsored by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Augusta, and all profits earned through the festival go to the Church funds.

Attendees of the Greek Festival in Line for a Good Meal.