By TR Robertson
Nothing marks a perfect end of summer event like the 46th Annual Cardiff Greek Festival. For two days, hundreds of people wander the grounds just outside of the Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, visiting the vendors selling their wares; taking their kids to the Kid’s Zone; but most especially enjoying various selections of Greek food and drink and taking part in dancing to the sounds of the Greek Band, The Olympians, or watching traditional Greek folk dancing.
Parish Council President Soiro Kailas opened the Festival in front of the church by introducing Father Angelo Maginas, who gave a blessing for the Festival. Father Angelo has been at Saints Constantine and Helen for the past 8 years. Spiro next introduced Kaylan Davidson, who sang the National Anthem, and Konstantinos Mellos, who sang the Greek National Anthem. Next, State Senator and former Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespeare spoke about the festival’s importance and the work the church does in the community. She said the church holds a Blessing of the Surfboards every year to protect those who surf. Following this, a representative for State Assemblymember Tasha Boerner and the current Mayor of Encinitas, Bruce Ehlers, presented Certificates of Recognition and Excellence. With a ribbon-cutting, the 46th Cardiff Greek Festival was underway.
Just past the entrance, visitors could take fun photos with Santorini in the background. You could also buy raffle tickets for a chance to win large cash prizes. After that, you could go right toward the vendor tents or left toward a variety of food choices. After deciding to wait a while, we turned toward the vendors. This year’s vendors included several places selling lots of jewelry. These included Swarovski, Murano Glass Italian Jewelry, Gemworks, and Luv JJ Jewelry. Gershel Brothers offered T-shirts, caps, and more. MG Pottery sold large coffee cups and vases. Azur Souvenirs sold a number of items, but the most impressive was their beautiful selection of items made from Jerusalem olive wood. Marble King Olive Oil was just across the way from the vendors with their Extra Virgin Olive Oil product. There was also a tent set up where you could purchase wine tastings from a selection of wines and liquors produced in Greece.
As you left this area you could shop at the Saints Constantine and Helen Church Bookstore and Gift Store. On the other side of the church was a Kids Zone selling snow cones, face painting, a large bouncy rock-climbing apparatus, and a trampoline with a trapeze-type set-up. Tours of the beautiful church sanctuary, opened in 1997, were offered at various times. Walking out of this area we then went by the Greek Deli market tables where spices and seasonings, pasta, sauces and everything you would need to create a Greek meal could be found.
Due to the new construction on the church property going on just east of the Festival area, the layout of this year’s Festival looked a little different. Major grading and construction have begun on a 2.5-acre site that will be the site of 61 senior housing units, 12 of these dedicated as affordable housing. The church presently has a 30-unit senior housing community. The new community will have a wellness walk, lounges, dining areas and a bocce ball court. As a result, the Taverna for the Olympians Band, the Folk Dancing and other dancing were moved next to the entrance area. A tent selling the delicious honey donuts called Loukoumades and Frappes was by the entrance to the Taverna. Directly across from this was the popular Greek Restaurant where a selection of Greek meal items was sold and next to that was the equally popular Gyros, Feta Fries and Souvlaki.
Walking over to the Taverna, Greek Cusina Restaurant Tent, to shoot photos and visit with the volunteers, I checked out the selection of dishes you could choose from for a full Greek meal. Greek food offered included Lamb Shank, Roasted Greek Lemon Chicken, Pastitsio (Greek lasagna), Spanakopita (a personal favorite of Phyllo with spinach and feta), Tyropita (cheese, phyllo pie), Pilafi (Greek rice), Fasolakia (Greek green beans), Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves) and a Greek salad. Next to this was a large tent area selling canned water, sodas, Mythos beer (my choice for the day) or a selection of craft beers. After eating our Spanakopita I stood in a moderately long line to buy a gyro at the Greek Grill tent. The gyro’s this year came in three choices – beef, lamb and this year chicken. Beef is always my meat of choice. The gyros warm pita bread is packed with meat, onions and tomatoes and a helping of tzatziki sauce. Other choices at the Greek Grill included Souvlaki (a pork or chicken grilled kabab), Loukaniko (handmade Greek sausage) or Feta Fries. Are you hungry yet? If not, you will soon be.
After sharing the gyro, Carolyn and I made it over to the Kafenio for Greek Pasteries. Looking back at the Restaurant and Grill tents, the lines were starting to build as noon was approaching. Many people strictly come to the Festival just to purchase food to either eat here or take home. The Festival this year increased the number of tables and chairs and umbrellas to ensure there was adequate seating for the large crowds. People are always friendly here and lots of table sharing goes on.
You can get in trouble quickly in the Kafenio as the dessert items are amazing but can get a little pricy depending on what you are buying and how many you get. They do sell pre-packed boxes of several of the most popular items like Baklava. Boxed items ranged in price from $20-$25. Most of the single items ranged from $3 – $5, depending on the item. We bought 2 Baklava, 2 Kourambiethes (powdered sugar butter cookies), 1 Almond Crescent cookie and 2 Kokaki a (chocolate cream mini cakes and our bill came to around $25 or so. It goes to a good cause, and the dessert items are delicious. There’s lots to choose from. Galaktoboureko (custard pastry), Kataifi (shredded honey nut pastry), Ekmek (cake topped with cream and shredded Kataifi), Thiples (fried dough with honey and nuts) Melomakarona (spiced honey dipped cookies), Paximathia (tea cookies) and much more. You have lots to choose from and will not be disappointed and it you are daring at the end of the check out register there is a table of Greek coffee. Greek coffee is very strong verging on Italian expresso strong, so be ready.
The annual Greek Festival is an event I have attended for many years, and I always mark on my calendar when the next date is announced. You cannot beat the food, the entertainment and you are never overwhelmed with the shopping experience. This is a must take in event everyone should take part in each year.
