Greek festival returns to area
READING >> Can’t make it to Greece this year? Here’s the next best thing. Visit Greece without leaving Berks County at the 48th Annual Greek Food Bazaar at Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church.
The three-day food and cultural festival returns for the 48th year on Friday, Oct. 19, Saturday, Oct. 20, and Sunday, Oct. 21. In addition to authentic Greek food and pastry, the event features live music, folk dancing, gift rooms and church tours.
The food is prepared and cooked on the premises by church members using family recipes handed down through generations.
“This is the biggest fundraiser for the church and helps support our ministries throughout the year,” said Artie Fecera, church council president.
The festival is famous for its Athenian-style chicken platters, which come with a half-backed chicken, rice pilaf, Greek-style string beans, a Greek salad, roll and butter. The platters are on sale all weekend in the main church dining hall for $12.
You can also substitute Plaki (fresh fish fillet baked with vegetables, herbs and wine) or Souvlaki (chunks of marinated pork) on the platter meal.
For the more adventurous, the Taverna room offers a variety of exotic Greek dishes: Calamari (squid) cooked in tomatoes and wine; Moussaka (eggplant casserole); Arni Psito (roast lamb cooked with herbs); and Pastitsio (layered Greek pasta, seasoned with chopped beef and topped with béchamel sauce).
Gyro (beef and lamb slices) and Souvlaki (pork shis-ke-bob) sandwiches are another popular food item, with “Greek fries” offered as a side dish or in the sandwiches. Try the tzatzkiki dipping sauce with the Greek fries.
Also check out the “Greek pizza” served under the large white tent adjacent to the church, which also provides additional seating and a variety of crafters and vendors.
If you need something to wash down your meal, there’s imported Greek beer, wines and spirits, including Ouzo, an anise-flavored liqueur. Domestic beers and soft drinks are also on sale.
After a hearty meal, there’s plenty to see and do on the church grounds. The Kafenio (Greek coffee house) features freshbrewed Greek-style coffee, tasty rice pudding topped with cinnamon and Greek pastries in a relaxed atmosphere.
The most popular stop at the Greek food festival is the pastry room, where you can sample Baklava (almonds, butter and honey layered in flaky pastry), Teelikta (walnuts, butter and honey rolled in flaky pastry); Kourabiethes (butter cookies topped with powdered sugar); Koulourakia (Greek twisted butter cookie); and Galaktobouriko (a filo pastry filled with custard and moistened with honey syrup).
Most visitors will take a variety box with them and sample each type of pastry.
Another Greek delicacy offered throughout the weekend is Loukoumades (puffed honey balls), a warm, dough pastry topped with syrup, cinnamon and chopped nuts. The Loukoumades room is found around the corner from the pastry room.
Visitors can also shop for original artwork, gold jewelry and items imported from Greece in various gift rooms.
All food items are available to eat-in in or take-out.
Bazaar hours are noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission and parking are free. Additional parking is available at the adjacent Berks Catholic High School lots. The event is held rain or shine.
The church is located at 1001 E. Wyomissing Blvd., about a half-mile from Business Route 222 South, also known as Lancaster Avenue.
For directions or more information, call 610-3747511 or visit www.stsconstantinehelen.org