PISCATAWAY, NJ – The 52nd Annual St. George Greek Festival in Piscataway is a success, taking place over four days, May 15-18.
Visitors, both Greek and non-Greek, enjoy traditional Greek food and sweets, shop at the outdoor markets, and enjoy music and dancing.
The community’s presiding priest, Archimandrite Nektarios Cottros, spoke to The National Herald and expressed everyone’s joy at the organization of the festival, the purpose of which, he said, is to present and promote Greek traditions, customs, music, cuisine, and hospitality.
“By the grace of Christ, we are all here together again this year for a wonderful community event, where we are given the opportunity to have fun and a great time,” he told TNH. “It is rightly considered one of the largest in New Jersey, with preparations starting in January. Over 15,000 visitors honor us, eagerly awaiting its start all year long so that they can all be together again.”
“The warm hospitality, the enthusiastic volunteers, the delicious homemade Greek food and pastries, our recipes have been passed down for many generations in our community and are proof of the relationship we have with our Greek heritage, they are the secrets of success. Wishing everyone a great summer and looking forward to seeing everyone again at next year’s festival with health.”
Parish Council President George Athanasopoulos said: “The festival attracts thousands of visitors with all proceeds going to the needs of the church and all of its programs. Each year, we host one of the largest and most popular Greek festivals in the state of New Jersey.”
“This year, we expanded the outdoor tavern and bar area and added a cafe and bakery under the tent,” he noted. “This cafe serves all the Greek favorites, iced frappe, iced freddo espresso, iced freddo cappuccino, as well as hot Greek and American coffees, teas and desserts. The indoor bakery and cafe were also expanded to include seating.”
“Volunteers have been busy preparing various Greek dishes, such as pastitsio, moussaka, dolmades, cheese pies, spinach pies, baklava, koulourakia, and melomakarona,” Athanasopoulos said. “Everyone’s favorites, such as souvlaki, gyros, and loukoumades as well as octopus, French fries, and sausage are on the menu. In the indoor dining room, there are meals such as grilled Athenian chicken, sliced lamb, and a mezedaki platter.”
Festival manager John Lyssikatos warmly thanked the dozens of volunteers of all ages and all the community organizations, the Parish Council, Philoptochos, Parents’ Association, GOYA, AHEPA) who responded so willingly to the call of the organizing committee.
“Our volunteers have been busy preparing various Greek delicacies,” he said. “There are also many vegetarian options for those who need them. Entertainment includes Greek folk dancing as well as live traditional music.”
The members of the Philoptochos Society spoke about the efforts to make the sweets and food offered at the festival.
“For weeks we have been working many hours a day to help our beloved church as much as we can. We are particularly happy that by the end of the festival, everything will have been sold,” they said.
