Frantic preparations for our Canadian Rockies backpack have consumed the day. With departure just 3.5 days away, we are checking and double checking our food list and re-analyzing our gear. The long range weather forecast in Banff indicates a moderate chance of rain every day with temperatures ranging from 59 high to 36 low. The mountains should be colder and we could experience snow. I find it difficult to think about snow in late August when the temperature is 87 outside.
Respite from packing came through an evening of music and food at Greek Fest in the Park 2004. The festival is usually held in October but with the 2004 Olympics in Athens, we figure the festival was moved forward to take advantage of the focus on Greece. A change in venue, from St. George Greek Orthodox Church to the World’s Fair Park, provided space to expand food and activities. A number of events were added including a big “kids corner,”which incorporated the park’s dancing fountains, a much improved Greek Straw Market with art, religious merchandise and jewelry and live Greek music by Pavlo. The usual youth group dancers performed but the incredible food and pastries were still the main event.
Mike, Leslie and I arrived at 5:00 pm, in the heat of the afternoon. John and his son Lee had planned to join us but a family emergency demanded their time elsewhere. We enjoyed Greek salads, a gyro sandwich for me and Spanakopita for Leslie and Mike. After a shopping spree through the pastry line for take home boxes of baklava, finikia, chocolate floyeres, kourambiethes, and koulourakia, we enjoyed baklava sundaes (soft service ice cream with shredded baklava, syrup and whipped cream). I am really glad Greek Fest comes only once a year!
By all appearances, the change in location was a great success. Maybe 2-3 times the usual number of festival attendees were milling about eating, shopping and listening to music. A grassy space provided seating on the ground near the stage while a huge tent offered protection from the hot sun. The number of people under the tent and the lack of breeze caused the tent to be a hotter environment than standing in the sun. Next year, maybe some fans…
