Show Its It's Greek To Me Emilee Hague Contributing Writer Thousands of gathered gathered gathered gath gath- ered Sept 11 12 and 13 forthe for forthe forthe the largest Greek Festival west of the Mississippi The Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church South West hosted the annual Greek Festival Thousands of people who came enjoyed the rich Greek culture through dance food and other Greek traditions We usually have people in three days said Aleka DiLauro general chair of the Greek Festival It is the largest ethnic festival in all of Utah Although is alot a alot alot lot of people to please there was plenty of entertainment tor for all ages Food and entertainment are the two biggest activities at the festival Volunteers began food preparation on May 15 IS for this years year's event They cook an unbelievable pounds of pork loin 1600 pounds of feta cheese pounds of chicken 70 gallons of yero sauce and eggs Somehow the volunteers manage to pull it all off Over 80 chair people and more than volunteers work hard all year long to make the festival successful Many volunteers are members members members mem mem- bers of the Greek Orthodox Church but other people in inthe inthe inthe the community are welcome to help Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson was among the volunteers serving food to hungry visitors The most popular food at the festival was Almost every table had a plate full of these Greek scones are made from flower yeast and salt They are then dipped in butter honey and cinna cinna- mon A plate of cost Other authentic Greek foods were also available Chicken ala Grecque Gyros Salata and to name a few All of these foods were prepared fresh by culinary specialists right in front of the festivals festival's guests as they stood in line Thousands participated in inthe inthe inthe the Classic and One-Mile One Walk Run for children on Saturday Sept 11 The run runis runis runis is one of the best parts of the festival We look forward to it all year long said Elly Lily Paulos a member of the Greek Church Several dancing groups entertained visitors from a large stage Most of the groups were Junior and Senior Goyas Goya's Children of I the Greek faith are put Into a group called a Goya when they enter seventh grade These groups dance together and perform at Greek events Children look forward to being a part of the huge Greek tradition of dance It is something that all of ofus ofus ofus us kids look forward to Anthony Colosimo a Junior Goya dancer said Dancing is a huge part of who we are The Cretan Dancers also n pern per per- formed in nm In order 10 to perform in this dance group you have to have an ancestor that is all Greek said Jeff Chipian a Cretan dancer When preparing to perform on Saturday the temperature was almost 90 degrees Its hot out here but AO n. n so worth it We love dancing Its It's a part of who we are said Lexi a Cretan dancer who was covered from head to toe in traditional Greek clothing Not only did people go to the festival to have a good time but also to support over 27 local charities in the Salt Lake Valley All of the proceeds from the festival will go to help the elderly homeless homeless homeless home home- less troubled youth and less fortunate This festival is not only a great thing because it brings people together to see our culture culture culture cul cul- cul- cul ture and what its it's all about but it also helps so many charities charities charities char char- around the valley said |