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GREEK FESTIVAL COUNTDOWN
CLOCK
GREEK FESTIVAL 2010
 Tired of
being cooped up all winter? Kick off the 2010 summer
season by attending Passaic County’s premier Greek
Festival held at St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 818
Valley Road in Clifton, NJ. Situated atop a grassy hill
the church is conveniently
located off Routes 3 and 46 and just a short distance
from Route 80. The 35th
annual festival is being held April 30th through May 2nd
and has something for the whole family. There is plenty
of covered outdoor seating as well as an indoor dining
hall allowing the festivities to go on rain or shine.
The Festival
offers the public a glimpse into both Greek culture and
religion during the three day event. The local
children’s Greek Dance Troupe performs Friday and
Saturday nights demonstrating the color and pageantry of
Greek folk dancing. Church tours are given daily where
visitors can get an up-close look at the Byzantine style
iconography and hand carved alter façade that were
imported from Greece over 40 years ago. The in-depth
tours are expertly given by Dr. Peter Salierno, a
professor of religious studies at Bergen Community
College.
The menu
features some of the best authentic Greek dishes served
in northern New Jersey. The mousaka
and pastitiso are just two of the
popular entrées served in the main dining hall. The
colossal portions are served with Greek salad and fresh
baked bread for just $12, a bargain in any language. The outdoor Taverna Grill
offers cooked-to-order gyro, souvlaki (pork
shish-kebob), Greek sausage, and Greek fries
(w/ lemon, oregano, salt, pepper). The home-made
pastries, loukoumades (fried dough with honey and
cinnamon), and Greek coffee are a perfect finish to
your meal. The festival also features two full bars,
indoor and outdoor, serving domestic and imported beer,
imported Greek wines, cocktails, soda, and of course
Ouzo.
You can walk
off your meal by browsing through the marketplace
located on the lower level of the church hall. The
eclectic array of vendors offers jewelry, handbags,
paintings, and much more. Still looking to burn off a few
calories? Starting at 7pm Friday and Saturday nights,
the lights are dimmed in the main dining hall and the
live Greek band plays for your listening and dancing pleasure.
So plan on
visiting St. George Greek Orthodox Church this Spring for a
time you will not soon forget. Visit the festival
website
www.cliftongreekfestival.com
for more information and sponsorship opportunities.
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