Greek Festival returns

To feed that many hungry revelers, the festival relies on 97 gallons of olive oil, 488 pounds of feta cheese and 728 pounds of filo pastry, to name just a few ingredients.

“We’re definitely known for our spectacular food,” festival Chair Mary Clay said in a press release. “Our volunteer cooks use family recipes that have been handed down for generations.”

This year brings nearly every staple that regulars have come to expect, but there will be a few changes. The outdoor area where the flea market has been held will be transformed into a Greek market lined with bistro tables and chairs. It will offer Greek coffee, mountain tea and cheese, organic olive oil from Greece as well as a Greek yogurt bar alongside the popular bookstore.

A whole lamb is roasted each day of the festival, head and all, and it’s seasoned with garlic, oregano, salt and pepper. The men fight over the lamb’s head — the cheeks are especially sought after, and the diehards will eat the eyes and brains, Clay said.

Roasting a whole lamb is a fixture of Greek celebrations. Clay grew up in Belmont and her family roasted a whole lamb every year for Easter.

Also on the menu are gyros, traditional moussaka, layers of seasoned ground meat and eggplant topped with a creamy béchamel sauce; spanakopita, spinach and cheese stuffed inside layers of filo pastry; and pastitso, which is like a Greek lasagna. Vegetarian and vegan options will also be served.

The pastry menu includes loukoumades, doughnut holes covered with honey; kourabiedes, wedding cookies covered in powdered sugar; the toasted, biscotti-like paximadia and of course baklava.

Adults can also enjoy Greek wine, beer and liquor, such as the anise-flavored Ouzo aperitif and Metaxa brandy.

Clay said many of the cooks have been laboring away in the kitchen throughout the weekends leading up to September, and many of them have been cooking or otherwise involved with the festival since its inception, back when it was held at the San Mateo County Fairgrounds.

Entertainment will be offered on two stages: folk dance groups decked out in colorful, hand-made costumes will take the main stage along with a popular Greek band; and children and adults alike will perform a Greek mythology play in the outdoor amphitheater. Cooking demonstrations and performances by award-winning children’s entertainer, Andy Z, will also occur there.

Tours of the Byzantine-style church will be offered, and children can take advantage of a jumping castle and other activities in the Fun Zone.

Tickets are $6 for general admission and $3 for youth and seniors. Proceeds support the church and various local organizations, including Samaritan House, Second Harvest Food Bank of San Mateo County and My New Red Shoes.

“They always say Greeks are very hospitable and it’s very true,” Clay said. “I want people to come away with a sense of community and hospitality. This is a tight community and this is how we support each other and the church.”

zachary@smdailyjournal.com

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