Portsmouth Greek festival deliciously under way

Portsmouth Greek festival deliciously under way July 22, 2007

Posted by grhomeboy in Greek Diaspora Festivals.
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Friday evening the three-day festival got under way.

Every year children, parents and grandparents share in the preparations and the festivities, showcasing the family values and sense of community that is an integral part of Greek traditions.

Last night Father Angelo Pappas turned pork and chicken kabobs with other parish members and children worked side by side with their parents in the marketplace. All wore big smiles and encouraged lots of eating. Souvlaki, moussaka and gyros are just a sampling of the meals area folks enjoyed under sunny skies, and brought home for later.

For dessert there was galaktoboureko, a Greek custard-filled filo glazed in honey-based syrup, baklava and kourambiedes, the Greek wedding cookie, among others, lovingly made by many hands.

Dean Zottos of Epping, who helped lead the cooking efforts, said 12,000 pieces of pastry and 3,000 pounds of lamb were used and food preparation began over a month ago. But the festival is about more than food, it is a celebration of both the church community and the Portsmouth community.

The festival continues all weekend at St. Nicholas Church on Andrew Jarvis Drive, named after the first Greek Mayor of Portsmouth, with continuous food, pastries and shopping, children’s’ activities, dancing and church tours. Times are Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.