Odyssey Greek Festival

OPA!  OPA!  OPA!

The online urban dictionary describes the exclamation OPA as many things:

It is a word or pronouncement of celebration; the celebration of life itself.
It is another way of expressing joy and gratitude to God, Life, and others; that all that really matters is health, family, and friends. It is an affirmation that you’re where you’re supposed to be; and that you need to stop and celebrate.

Urban Dictionary, 2012 "OPA" Retrieved 9-1-12 from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=opa

Well, the cowboy and I were certainly where we needed to be when we stopped by St. Barbara's Greek Orthodox Church to help them celebrate their 32nd Annual Odyssey - A Greek Festival, this Labor Day Weekend!  St. Barbara's in located on Racebrook Road in Orange, CT.

We were greeted on our arrival by the wonderful Sharon in the Information Booth who was so helpful with explaining where everything we wanted to visit was located and at what times and places we could find the entertainment and made sure we had an info pamphlet. Everyone in the booth was knowledgeable about EVERYTHING and wanted to ensure that every attendee had a great time!  Also...no entrance fee or parking fee!  This is a festival that every family can afford!

We got there just in time to see Marie Basel and Olympia Hadjmichael preparing a cooking demonstration of a variation of baklava, the traditional Greek dessert made with phyllo dough, honey,  nuts, and various spices.

 Marie and Olympia did a great job and had a captive audience with standing room only!

Watching all that dessert being prepared and the aroma of all the warm honey made us move over to one of the many food tents.  There were many menu options, from full course dinners...

to snack bar items...

and there was even a whole lamb on a rotisserie!  

This was being prepared for the traditional "Souvla" Dinner:

whole lamb, roasted on an open pit, served with rice pilaf, salad and a roll.

We watched some spanakopita (spinach pie) being served.

and some gyros being assembled

The cowboy bellied up to the counter...

and ordered himself a Hummel's hot dog, hamburger, and french fries.

and then made sure that I had the main reason I go to Greek festivals...

the delicious GYRO!!!!

Even Father gets to take a short break to enjoy some tasty treats!

We then took a quick walk through the indoor Greek Agora (marketplace) 

and looked over some of the crafts

                                                              religious icons

custom Odyssey T-Shirts

condiments, virgin olive oils, and other items, brought in from New York

and even a Treasures and Junque Room with a little bit of everything 

and something for everyone!

for the little ones and "gamers" there was an amusement area

But the highlight of our day was watching the Odyssey Dancers!

...and a short video

This is a Labor Day Weekend Event NOT TO BE MISSED!  

For Additional Phots Visit:  Home Place Greek Odyssey Pictures

More Video Links below.

Visit the Odyssey - Greek Festival and tell them Home Place sent you!

The festival is held on the grounds of

St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church

480 Racebrook Road

Orange, CT 

203-.795.1347

Friday - Saturday

August 31- Sept 2

12noon to 10pm

AND

Sunday

September 3

12noon to 8pm

OPA!  OPA!  OPA!

And thank you to the countless volunteers who make this festival a success!

How did you spend your Labor Day Weekend? 

Hope you were where you needed to be, too!

Additional Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZmMvIwO77Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xM4BWSw7Wo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQ7kzMX0CXY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vfi95dAGSY

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