Sept. 7 & 8: Welcome to Greek Fest!

Sept. 7 & 8: Welcome to Greek Fest!

By Janine Pumilia

It’s that time of year when the people of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 108 N. 5th St., Rockford, roll out the welcome mat and offer delicious food, music, dance and other fun as they celebrate all things Greek. There’s a lot to celebrate! Ancient Greece is the birthplace of western civilization, after all.

One of many great aspects of Greek culture is its welcoming attitude, says Anne Panos, lifetime member of the church and a longtime Greek Fest organizer.

“Hospitality is an important part of Greek culture,” says Panos. “We like to share our cuisine and socialize. We think our downtown Rockford location is perfect for that. It’s always a fun time for us to welcome guests and also to re-connect with each other and our own ancestry. It’s also a good time for our younger generations to learn about our traditions.”

This year’s Greek Fest is Saturday and Sunday Sept. 7 & 8. Admission is free.

Another wonderful Greek tradition is distinctive and tasty cuisine. Among the many offerings:

• Gyros, a blend of seasoned beef and lamb, onions, tomato and tzatziki sauce (yogurt, cucumber and garlic) cradled in a warm pita bread.

• Pastitsio, a layered, baked macaroni and ground beef dish topped with béchamel sauce.

• The Souvlaki Platter, tender grilled pork kabobs nestled in rice pilaf.

• Athenian Chicken, a split breast with olive oil, lemon, and savory spices served with rice pilaf, Greek salad and warm pita bread.

• Loukaniko, a seasoned Greek sausage served with tzatziki sauce in warm pita bread.

• Greek Salad, with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, Kalamata olives and feta cheese.

• The Combination Platter, comprised of one Athenian chicken breast plus your choice of souvlaki or loukaniko sausage served with rice pilaf, Greek salad and warm pita bread.

• Saganaki, which is kefalotyri cheese seared on the grill, then flamed with brandy and topped with fresh lemon.

At the Greek Fest bakery, you’ll find loukoumades, a fried dough drenched in honey and topped with powdered sugar, cinnamon and/or walnuts, and baklava sundaes.

“It’s very relaxing to come get a table at the taverna, order some Greek wine or beer or coffee, maybe an appetizer like saganaki, and then linger over a wonderful meal as you socialize, watch the dancers, and maybe finish up with a Greek pastry,” says Campos. “Our event is a little smaller than some, which makes it easier to provide a more intimate atmosphere.”

Greek music, both traditional and modern, will fill the air throughout the weekend. A troupe of traditional dancers will perform at 2 and 6 p.m. each day. A returning favorite band, Men of Our Times, will perform a blend of classic hits on Saturday night starting at 8 p.m.

Raffle tickets will be sold both days and an “agora,” or marketplace, will sell Greekrelated items like clothing, jewelry, CDs, cookbooks, incense and incense holders, icons, blankets, handbags, dolls, kitchen items and more.

In Ancient Greece, the agora was the center of civic life, where people gathered to discuss politics, philosophy and spirituality.

Christian faith is a cornerstone of the Greek culture. Guided tours of the church, with its stunning Byzantine iconography, will be given throughout the weekend. The congregation recently celebrated its 100th anniversary and welcomes inquiries from people who are curious about the Orthodox Church.

“People of many ethnic backgrounds attend our church, including Lebanese, Syrian, Russian, Ethiopian and Serbian Christians,” Panos says. “Our church is really what I’d call Pan-Orthodox, not just Greek Orthodox.”

The Orthodox Church dates back to the apostles and owes its existence in the U.S. to immigrants from Greece, Russia, the Middle East and the Balkans. Like so many others, in the 19th and 20th centuries, Orthodox Christians came here in search of freedom and opportunity.

The Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church is led by interim Pastor Andrew Zbeeb. The congregation works with organizations including Rockford Rescue Mission, Rock River Valley Food Pantry, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Remedies domestic violence shelter to serve the local community year-round, says Panos.

Festival hours are noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. Learn more at RockfordGreekFest.com. ❚