One of the oldest ethnic festivals in New Jersey, the St. George Greek Festival returns for the 39th time May 15-18.
The festival celebrates the culture, traditions, music and cuisine of Greece at the St. George Community Center, located at 1200 Klockner Road in Hamilton. Visitors can taste authentic homemade Greek food and pastries, dance to the sounds of the bouzouki and watch young folks in colorful native costumes demonstrating traditional Greek dances.
Homemade Greek dishes such as Arni Kokkinisto (braised lamb shanks), Moussaka (baked eggplant with meat filling), Pastitsio (baked macaroni with meat filling), Lemon Chicken, Spanakopita (filo pastry filled with spinach and cheese), Fish Plaki (baked fish), Souvlakia (filet mignon shish kebob) and Arni Psito (roast lamb) will all be available. The dishes will be made by members of the St. George parish.
The Pastry Shop will feature Baklava (layered filo with nuts and honey), Galatoboureko (filo dough filled with custard), Kourambiedes (butter cookies with powdered sugar) and more, all available to eat at the festival or take home.
There will also be outdoor grills featuring souvlaki and gyros, a mezedakia bar featuring hors d’oeuvres such as feta cheese, stuffed grapevine leaves, meat balls and sausage and a market place with jewelry and novelties. Tours of the St. George Greek Orthodox Church will also be available.
The festival runs May 15 (5-10 p.m.), May 16-17 (noon-11:30 p.m.) and May 18 (noon to 7 p.m.). Parking is free.
St. George Greek Orthodox Church is located at 1200 Klockner Road in Hamilton. Phone: 609 586-4448.
