This Festival Is Greek to Everyone

Anyone who has gone to a Greek restaurant, a Greek party, a Greek wedding or just seen the 2002 movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding has gotten a glimpse of the Greek culture.

Essentially, everyone is required to have a good time. Greeks even have words for it.

One word is filoxenia. Its official translation is hospitality. But it also means love of strangers, and Greeks take pride in their what’s-mine-is-yours attitude.

Another word is kefi, which means doing something with passion, living with passion.

My family would drive all the way from Arcadia to San Pedro at least once a year on special occasions just to experience filoxenia and kefi at Papadakis Traverna, one of Southern California’s great Greek restaurants which unfortunately closed earlier this year.

Also, I played in a Greek charity golf tournament at Brookside in Pasadena a couple of years ago and had a great time–and lots of food, drink and laughs. The event is such a hit it almost always sells out–filling both of Brookside’s two 18-hole courses.

The point I’m trying to make is, if an event involves the Greek culture, it’s almost guaranteed to be a good time.

That’s why you should block out time to attend the 53rd annual , to be held this Friday through Sunday at just west of the paddock area.

The Greek Fest is fundraiser for the St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Pasadena. The same church also puts on the charity golf tournament I played in at Brookside.

This marks the second consecutive year that the Greek Fest has been back at Santa Anita. It was always there until moving to the church lot on Rosemead Boulevard for a few years. But because of the large crowds for that the Greek Fest attracts, Santa Anita is a more desirable site.

And Jim Christos of St. Anthony’s GreekFest promotional committee promises this year’s event will be bigger and better than ever. The hope is that it will attract more than 15,000 people over the three days. The net proceeds go to a variety of charities.

The event features Greek food, live Greek music and Greek folk dancing. Also, this year there will be an expanded kids’ fun zone.

“This event has always been a draw for residents and visitors seeking a culturally diverse fun event with a myriad of activities for the entire family,” said event co-chairman Charlie Christodulelis. “Come visit us and we will wine, dine and spoil you the Greek way.”

The hours are 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, noon to 1 a.m. on Saturday, and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is only $5 (children 12 and under are free). Parking is $4 a car. Entry to the event will be at Santa Anita’s main entrance at Holly and Huntington Drive.

Although Santa Anita will not have live racing until Sept. 30, adults 18 and over attending the Greek Fest who would like to wager on simulcast races from tracks across North American will be able to do so.

Christos said the GreekFest will be highlighted by a variety of music. There will be a tribute to Greek Blues the first night, Bouzouki music will be featured the next day–a Bouzouki is sort of a Greek guitar–and clarinet music will fill the air on the third day.

Featured entertainers set to perform include the “Olympians,” Bouzouki specialist Milton Kranias from Greece, clarinetist Kostas Skrepetos from New York City and vocalist Elizabeth Proios.

Other highlights include visual Greek artists, authentic Greek cuisine and pastries, live cooking demonstrations, and a chat with wine expert Yiannis Skakianakis of Pavlidis Winery in the Drama region of Greece.

Christos said there also will be a sports bar and cigar lounge, appropriately named the Olympic Taverna. Remember, the Olympics started in Athens in 776 BC.

There will also be lectures about Greek history, culture and religion and of course tons of food.

“All people have to do is bring their appetite and dancing shoes,” Christos said.

Also, there will also be nightly raffles, featuring such prizes as Santa Anita Mall gift cards, Apple iPads, large-screen 3D HD TVs and a grand prize of a travel certificate worth $2,500.

For further information, call 626 600-1672 or visit www.pasadenagreekfest.org.