by Tony Schillaci and Don Church

The 56th Annual Greek Food Festival was held in the great hall of the St. Sophia Hellenic Orthodox Church in New London on November 4, 5, 6 and 7.  Capacity crowds stood in long lines – even in the rain – and spilled out onto Hempstead Street at this popular admission-free event.

Paying only for the food and drink, the hundreds of happy diners filled the hall and lined up to sample stuffed grape leaves, gyros, pastitso, moussaka and other delicious Greek island foods, topping off their meals with baklava, kataifi, and other honey-sweetened pastries in fillo.

Father Dean A. Panagos presented the St. Sophia Hellenic Dancers each night at 7pm. This troupe of talented young people offered spirited dances from all the islands of Greece, and, accompanied by authentic music and garbed in traditional Greek costumes, they were a highlight of every evening.

Over 35 businesses and hundreds of volunteer parishioners donated their time, money and cooking and baking talents to make the event a success, and to keep the patrons jolly and well-fed.  Folks gave up their seats and lined the walls of the hall after dinner to watch the dancing and to give others a chance to dine.   It was a memorable event, and The Resident will undoubtedly be visiting again next year for the 57th anniversary of this traditional New London fete.