OPA!
The Greeks love to party. Community Greek festivals are generally held at the local Greek Orthodox Church. But unlike other church festivals, the Greeks are just getting started at noon and keep it going into the night. The young adult men and women start arriving when the sun is going down, dressed to impress. Greek music, dancing and food make it worthwhile, especially the home made Greek cookies: kourabiedes (walnut sugar cookies), melomakarona (spicecake & honey cookies), jam filled pasta floras and many varieties of baklava. Where does the word “Baklava” come from? Originally from the Mongol word “Bayla” meaning to tie-up. Who are some Greeks in our popular culture? Tommy Lee, Jennifer Aniston, John Stamos, Rita Wilson, Zach Galifianakis, Anthony Kiedis, Ariana Huffington and Betty White. Betty White? Yep, her mother’s maiden name was Cachikis. What does “Opa! “mean? “Opa” is one of those emotional expressions – “oops” mixed with “yes, I dropped it and it broke in a million pieces but I am having so much fun I don’t care!” Opa! What California city has the highest percentage of people with Greek ancestry? Long Beach. Which city in the US has the highest percentage of people with Greek ancestry? Tarpon Springs, Florida. Why? Sponge diving is an important industry there. By 1905 a man named John Cocoris actively recruited Greeks to join the sponge diving industry there as divers and crew members. It is now a multimillion dollar industry there.
September 20-22
Pasadena Greek Fest – Pasadena
St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Church. 778 S. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena 91107
$4 admission. Fri 5-10pm, Sat 12noon – 10 pm, Sun 12 noon – 10pm
Great food, dancing, music, vendors. Opa!