Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — If the large white tent isn't enough to give it away, the scents in the air mean its time for the Greek Festival.
Throughout the historic three-day cultural festival, adjacent to the Greek Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral, Basil Chelemes oversees the grilling of seven whole lambs and 210 legs of lamb, and the moist, seasoned meat is usually the star of the show.
He's been doing it for 24 years, because he gets "to spend the weekend with his friends."
"It's a family experience," Chelemes said. "But the food is good, too."
In addition to the freshly cooked lamb, the traditional Greek foods — gyros, pastitsio, souvlaki, spanakopita, pilafi and more — are made on-site and served almost as quickly as it comes out of the ovens. Approximately 50,000 people come to the festival every year, mostly for the food, said Maxine Babalis, a member of the local parish council that organizes the annual event.
"It's all made from scratch, and it's made from our hearts," she said, adding that the chefs and bakers use only the finest ingredients and make each item in the most traditional ways.
"We are proud of our Greek culture," Babalis said. "This is where you can come and you can be Greek for three days."
Salt Lake City has one of the largest Greek communities west of the Mississippi River, according to Babalis. Many came from the mainland and islands of their home country in 1900, establishing the church locally and settled in what would come to be known as "Greek Town," the area along 100, 200 and 300 South and between 200 and 600 West.
The Philoptochos Society, originally "the Mothers Organization," started hosting a bazaar that was held in the basement of the church and later at the nearby Memorial Cultural Center. The festival has expanded into the largest cultural event in Utah, acting as an annual fundraiser for the church.
Chelemes said the historically "tight-knit" Greeks came to Salt Lake City for the chance of a better life and as time went on, they fell in love and raised their families in the state and ended up staying.
Now, the festival is put on by some 4th-, 5th- and 6th-generation Greeks.
The festival is put on by hundreds of volunteers within the local community, and preparations for the next festival begins as soon as one is finished — this year marks its 41st year.
Ten percent of the proceeds from the festival are donated to local causes and community endeavors, as Babalis said "this community is important to us, and we want to give back."
A special prayer service will be offered at the church on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 10 a.m., in honor of the late Rev. Father Matthew Gilbert, who has served the local parish for the last 18 years and died this week of lung cancer.
"He will be missed," Babalis said.
Volunteers at this year's festival wore sticker in remembrance of the late priest. The festival will open for the last of its three-day run, following the service, at 11 a.m.
