Heat Curbs Numbers At L.A. Greek Fest
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St. Sophia Cathedral lit up at the 2013 L.A. Greek Fest. (Lexie Barker/Neon Tommy)
Kaj Stromer, cashier at the French Fry station and member of the St. Sophia Cathedral congregation, didn't think attendance will match that of previous years.
“There was nothing between 4 and 5 p.m.; it was so hot today,” he said, on Saturday afternoon.
Oana Marin, a Burbank local who comes out for the festival every year, noticed the lack of attendance as well, despite changes to accommodate more people.
“They [the booths] are more spread out this year," she said. "[There are] more food booths so people don’t have to wait in long lines, but it is not as crowded [overall]."
Stromer’s line was one of the most popular at the event. The fries came drizzled with a white or red sauce. The friendly Stromer happily repeated his spiel about the sauces.
“The white sauce is tzatziki," he explained. "It's got yogurt, lemon, garlic, and dill. The red is Santorini. It's tomato, caramelized onions, oregano, and feta.”
The food explanations were necessary, as most of the festival attendees were not Greek. The festival was really a multi-cultural celebration of Greek culture.
Those who like Greek food or have been eager to try it since seeing "My Big, Fat, Greek Wedding" were not disappointed by the cuisine at this event. There were dishes including spanakopita, moussaka, and saganaki to start. Leg of lamb sandwiches topped with feta cheese and a generous drizzle of tzatziki, gyros, souvlaki, lamb chops, and Greek spice-rubbed half-chickens were all entree options. To finish, an assortment of Greek pastries and coffee drinks was available from the Kafenio.
The St. Sophia Cathedral is located in a Latino neighborhood and its congregation was intent on supporting the neighborhood, through the festival and also through its outreach programs. A salsa band was on stage and the dance floor was in full swing by 8 p.m. Though the sounds of Latin America filled the air, every now and then someone on the floor shouted a heartfelt “OPA!” Though Greece may be far away, this festival definitely brought a touch and taste of the culture to L.A.
Reach Staff Reporter Lexie Barker here.
See a slideshow of the L.A. Greek Fest below (Benjamin Dunn / Neon Tommy).
