Greek Festival Delivers Food, Fun

NORTHRIDGE —  While some may flock to the big-ticket amusement parks this weekend, about 50,000 people are expected to attend the Valley Greek Festival, where the only thing going around and around are the dancers.

The official opening was 1 p.m. Saturday, but by noon a substantial crowd had already gathered on the grounds of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

Among them, Palmdale resident Samantha Fabbri, 9, sat in the craft tent carefully painting a small plaster horse under the watchful eye of her brother, Tony, 4.

“We always come,” said her mother, Julie. “My mother-in-law is Greek, so it’s a family thing.”

Family is a big part of what the 27th annual Memorial Day weekend festival is about.

John Halekakis of North Hollywood marked his 24th year selling honey puffs, called loukoumathes, with a volunteer staff that includes his wife, Sophia, three daughters, four sons, three sons-in-law and 13 grandchildren.

“I do it for the church--for Jesus Christ,” he said.

Patrons ate spanakopita at the Greek Kitchen booth, where vegetarian food is a specialty, and souvlaki from a booth sponsored by Tom Hanks and his wife, actress Rita Wilson, who is Greek and a member of the church.

“The retsina is Greek traditional wine,” explained Ted Illiadis, who served beverages.

Lou Skoby of Chatsworth played the bouzouki, the mandolin-shaped instrument that adds lilt to Greek music. When not on the bandstand, Skoby helped with food and supplies, a job he inherited from his father, he said.

Did we mention the pastries? Northridge residents Eugenia Georgilas and Mary Costopoulos co-chair the pastry committee, which makes and sells 50,000 of the goodies.

Chocolate, pistachio and traditional baklava and a custard confection called galatoboureko enticed salivating patrons to a display with no less than 19 items.

“We create the recipes,” Georgilas said.

Dancing vies with food for first place in the popularity poll.

“Sometimes there’s no room on the floor, and they end up dancing on the green,” said security head Ed Gooch, who has been with the festival for 19 years.

Retired bookkeeper Judy Rifkin of Agoura Hills partnered with her 9-month-old grandson, Owen Cogswell.

“I took a class in Greek dancing at Pierce College,” Rifkin said.

Peter Andrews, a co-chair for the festival, said “pure adrenaline” is what it takes to keep pace with all the elements of Greek culture and cuisine that are showcased.

“Everything is about sharing--life, the ability to celebrate,” said Mike Stambolis, former chairman of the event. “We can’t do this without the community--the neighbors, our friends at the Mormon church [next door]--everybody.”

The event continues through Monday, 1 to 9 p.m. daily. No charge for admission. The gold-domed church is at 9501 Balboa Blvd., near Plummer Street.