The Greek salutation “Opa!” was a fitting affirmation for the celebratory zeal at the Big Greek Food Festival of Niles.
The three-day food fest was hosted by the Holy Taxiarhai and St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, 7373 N. Caldwell in Niles, earlier this month, where attendees gathered in community and fellowship, centered on the culinary traditions of Greece and the sharing of Greek food.
Parish Council President Richard Kozlowski said while food is at the center of this celebration, and has been for over 40 years, the fest also offered a layered cultural experience with live Greek music, folk dancers, a Greek taverna, imported Greek wines, cooking demonstrations, scenic film screenings, sale of religious books and icons, and tours of the church.
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“It’s a way for us to bring a little bit of Greece to the northern suburbs of Chicago,” Kozlowski said.
The festival was held July 13 to July 15.
Greek favorites like leg of lamb, Athenian chicken, moussaka, pastitsio and spanakopita all held a place on the menu, as did pastries like baklava (walnut torte) and diples (large, fried pastry swirls sprinkled with honey, cinnamon and ground walnuts).
Tony Karambelas of Carpentersville said he was raised in a Greek family and that he was the only one of his friends attending on July 13 who actually knew much about Greek food.
“The festival is really about friendship,” Karamelas said. It’s a time that everyone can feel a part of Greek culture, and that we all can become Greek for a day.”
Demetris Timoleontos, is the director of Rythmos, the Itasca-based band that provided music for the festival who said that music is an important part of any Greek celebration.
“The rhythms we play go along with specific dances and our purpose is to get the crowd up and dancing to traditional dances like syrtos and kalamatianos – both group dances were people hold hands repeating steps while dancing in a circle,” Timoleontos said.
In addition to music, traditional folk dance performances by The Dionysos Dancers and the Orpheus Hellenic Dance Troop were featured. Greek novelty and jewelry items were also sold in the church community center, and a grand raffle was held offering a 2018 Audi A3 Sedan or Harley Davidson prize.
The Rev. Father Constantine P. Botsis said with 15,000 – 20,000 people expected to attend over the three days, the festival is also an important church fundraiser.
Festival funds go to support support daily church operations along with the new construction of a Phase-III building project – a multi-purpose meeting space with kitchen, small theater and stage, he said. Construction is scheduled to start within the next few months.
Botsis said ideally there is also a missionary aspect to the festival, along with the hope that those attending will learn more about the church and about the Orthodox faith.
“Culture is a great tool,” Botsis said. “We want people to know who we are, that we are a Christian-based faith with 26 Greek Orthodox churches represented throughout the Chicago metro area.”