Annual Bayshore Greek Festival is an Exuberant Community Celebration

Regular attendees and newcomers alike at the Bayshore Greek Festival, hosted by Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox Church in Holmdel, NJ, couldn’t help but get swept up in the fun and joyous celebration – and the palpable sense of community – that makes the annual June event such a great success. Over the years, it has grown to become most significant and prestigious Greek-American community event in Monmouth County, according to Rev. Econ. Panagiotis Lekkas, Rector at the parish.

This year’s festival was held from Thursday, June 7 through Sunday, June 10, 2018 and, as always, brought out thousands of enthusiastic attendees from throughout the region. The authentically Hellenic cultural experience is a labor of love for the parish, where an army of dedicated volunteers works tirelessly for weeks – probably months – ahead of time to put together the entire event. As visitors wandered throughout the grounds to take in the sights and sounds and smells, they were greeted everywhere with the constantly cheerful demeanors and smiling faces of the proud parish volunteers who were so happy to share all the best of their Greek heritage.

Entry into the festival began through the gymnasium, where guests immediately began salivating at the aromas of the delectable Greek cuisine being served in the Taverna, with lamb shanks, souvlaki (pork or chicken shish-kebabs), moussaka (layers of eggplant, potato, ground beef, and a rich cream sauce), spanakopites (spinach pies), salads, dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), and much more. Across the gym, vendors displayed jewelry, artwork, religious icons, Greek memorabilia and music, clothing, and various services. Up on the stage, there were cooking demonstrations presented each day, with tips on how to prepare an array of Greek dishes.

Continuing outside to the enormous food tent, the aromas continued to fill the air and long lines formed – and quickly moved along – as volunteer cooks manned the Grecian Grill to churn out endless orders of delicious pita with souvlaki, chicken, or gyro, along with burgers, hot dogs, Greek fries, and sesame-encrusted feta sticks. On the opposite side of the tent were multiple tables laden with an irresistible assortment of sweet pastries, including baklava (walnut strudel in phyllo), loukoumades (honey puffs), ouzo cake (spice cake soaked in ouzo liquor), and galaktobouriko (custard wrapped in phyllo), to name just a few.

Kids of all ages were excited to try their luck at the carnival games or take their turn on the amusement rides, climbing wall, and zip line. There were also fascinating tours of the church offered each day, where visitors learned about the meticulous work and reverent meaning behind everything that adorns the gorgeous interior.

No Bayshore Greek Festival would be complete without the outstanding performances provided by the talented musicians and dancers. The huge entertainment tent came alive as throngs of families and friends crowded together to sing, clap, stomp, and cheer along to merry music by the Neo Kyma Greek Band and Pegasus DJ, with tremendous shows by the GOYA Hellenic Dancers, whose elaborate, handcrafted costumes and graceful, sometimes acrobatic, dance steps never cease to thrill. As they performed, audience members leaped from their seats and rushed onto the dance floor to shower their beloved dancers with dollar bills in a traditional show of appreciation and good fortune.

As they say in Greek as a celebration of life: “OPA!”