MARLBOROUGH – Performers danced as attendees enjoyed piles of Greek entrees, pastries, beer and wine at this year’s Greek Festival in Downtown Marlborough last weekend.
Held at the Sts. Anargyroi Greek Orthodox Church on Central Street, the festival was a continuation of a tradition put on hold due to COVID-19 last year.
“This is an opportunity to understand how symbolism, beautiful icons and two thousand years of tradition come together,” volunteer organizer Jim Peltekis told the Community Advocate ahead of the festival.
The festival ran on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, throughout Labor Day weekend. It featured twice-daily performances on Saturday and Sunday by area Greek Dance troupes, with a pair of New England Greek bands capping the experience with evening performances.
DJ George ‘Regas’ Regan kept the music going throughout the event, as other amenities included bounce houses, face painting, children’s activities, hot dogs and soft drinks.
Many came specifically for a familiar menu that included everything from lamb shanks to pastitsio, a kind of baked macaroni.
“Authentic Greek foods,” explained Peltekis, “prepared with love, the way our yia-yias [grandmothers] made it for generations, may be the first thing people think about when they think of Greek festivals.”
Convening for a beloved community event once postponed by the pandemic, performers and organizers were excited for the return of their festival in 2021.
“It is happening,” one dancer posted on Facebook prior to the event. “This Saturday! We are back!”
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