Greek Recipes

Blue-and-white striped flags and the smell of traditional Mediterranean food made from recipes passed from generation to generation filled the courtyard behind Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Rochester on Sunday during the annual Greek Festival.

Music, dancing, children’s activities, shopping and cooking demonstrations kept many entertained.

In fact, total attendance for the four-day event was about 20,000, said Amiel Mokhber Jr., festival chairman.

The festival, which started as an event only for Greeks, has been going on for 20 years. But now the festival has a different theme.

It’s so people can taste a little bit of the Greek culture,” Mokhber said.

With support from community members, many of whom are local restaurateurs, the festival boasts homemade food and authentic Greek recipes, he said.

Although admission was free, donations were raised to benefit CURE Childhood Cancer Association on Friday.

A percentage of the festival’s proceeds will also benefit the organization.

It’s the festival’s way of giving back to the Rochester American community,” Mokhber said.

Artwork, clothing and jewelry attracted shoppers walking off their lunches.

After a sampling of gyro, moussaka and loukoumades, dough puffs with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon, Trish Franco and her aunt Aldona Budinich examined an array of necklaces and bracelets through the glass.

The jewelry is beautiful, but we mostly came for the food and music,” Franco said.

The open courtyard and large tents made getting from one side of the festival to the other easy, unlike other festivals.

You are not too overwhelmed,” Franco said.

Angie LaLoggia of Penfield and her sons — John, 8, and Mike, 6 — also shopped under the tents. They were interested in wall hangings decorated with the phrase “I Love Grandmother,” written in Greek.

The LaLoggias are members of the church, and they attend the festival every year.

The food and entertainment are not the only things that keep them coming back, LaLoggia said.

She believes the community support sets the festival apart from all the others.

”It makes a huge difference.”