Despite Hurricane Isaac’s attacks on the Midwest region, the 95th St. Nicholas Greek Festival in the Central West End is as tasty as ever.
From gyros to baklava, food takes center stage at the annual event, which took place this Labor Day weekend. The festival is hosted by the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Parishioners work the numerous food booths as traditional Greek music and dancing accompany the experience.
Both young and old dancers occupy two stages at the festival throughout the day. They are dressed in traditional costume that mirrors the diversity of those in attendance. Toddlers and elders, Greeks and non-Greeks, first time and frequent attendants, the crowds had one thing in common—a love for culture and primarily, food.
Junior Mallory Stumpf, a longtime fan of the cuisine, could not pass up the chance at a genuine Greek experience.
“I don’t get the chance to eat baklava very often,” Stumpf said, “so getting it here in St. Louis from people who clearly know how to make it, makes me wish that the Greek Festival was every weekend.”
Despite the drizzling rain outside of the tent, there was no shortage of entertainment inside as masterful chefs make the Greek specialties. Eaten with pita bread, the specialty Saganaki is cooked cheese that is dramatically set on fire for the entertainment of the patrons and slight peril of the chefs.
In past years, lines for events have deterred guests from tasting the Greek cuisine. However, this year, the weather worked for patrons’ favors. Those willing to brave the weather got the desired food at record speeds.
“I went two years ago and waited in line for an hour,” Stumpf said. “I definitely prefer the 15 minute wait.”
Opportunities to tour the inside of the intricate Orthodox Church and purchase authentic Greek items finish off the festival experience. Visitors are left to imagine their own recreations of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”
Despite the intermittent rain and hurricane level winds, the wettest weekend in months couldn’t stop the cries of “Opa” at this St. Louis tradition.
