Added: 12/26/2005 |
Belmont Greek Festival Is A Tradition Of Culture And EntertainmentGreece has always been famous for its unique history and culture, abundant in myths and ancient traditions. Whenever you happen to participate in a Greek festival, you are sure to enjoy gourmet Greek food, folk music, dancing, and a number of cultural exhibitions. The Belmont Greek Festival is a characteristic example of Greek celebrations.
The event starts with traditional gourmet food, which is then followed by music, dancing, and theatre. Among the most popular menu items of the festival are Greek shish-kebab, known as souvlakia, barbequed lamb chops served with Greek seasonings, dolmades, or ground beef and rice wrapped up in grape leaves, and spanakopita, which is cheese and spinach served with pastry.
Traditional homemade pastries are highlights of the festival, including Baklava, a filo pastry and nuts soaked in honey, loukoumades, or doughnuts covered with honey, galactobouriko, a pastry with custard and syrup, and kourambiedes, which are butter cookies with powdered sugar.
More than 500 pounds of each of pastry, feta cheese, and butter, 1,000 pounds of ground beef, and nearly 190 dozen eggs are used to cook the foods of the Belmont Greek Festival. Cooking demonstrations are usually offered to spectators, providing them with the opportunity to learn more about the traditional Greek cuisine.
The festival features music performed by a Greek band and suitable for dancing traditional Greek dances, like tsamiko, kalamatiano, zeimbekiko and others. A number of award-winning dance groups in colorful costumes perform during the festival.
The outdoor amphitheater, resembling ancient Greek theaters, offers to both adults and children special theatrical performances, featuring the heroes of Greek mythology. The amphitheater is also home to the Folk Ensemble and prominent singers performing Greek folk songs.
Children are offered games, crafts, and rides in the Fun Zone Children's Area.
Throughout the weekend the spectators observe the tours of Byzantine-style church, accompanied by the Holy Cross Church Liturgical Choir. Among other highlights of the Belmont Greek Festival are gift and jewelry boutiques, and demonstration of prominent Orthodox icons from all over the world. It should be mentioned that the Church of the Holy Cross provides support to a number of charitable groups of San Mateo County, donating a percentage of the proceeds of the festival to local charities including Interfaith Network for Community Help, Samaritan House, Children's Advocacy Council, as well as a number of local churches and schools. The Holy Cross Church also acts as a sponsor to some children from the Children' Receiving Home, who visit the festival as special guests.
The Belmont Greek Festival is held on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from noon until 10 p.m. Admission to the festival is $5 for adults and half that fee for children aged 13-17. Children under 12 are admitted free.
The Belmont Greek Festival 2005 was held at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross, and was attended by more than 150,000 visitors.
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