Special to the Parade
Saint George Orthodox Church recently announced its annual International Festival on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Located at 704 W. Sam Houston in Pharr, St. George’s International Festival is a family and Winter Texan-friendly event that celebrates the diverse cultures represented by the Orthodox Christian Church and the parish’s location in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.
Admission is free, as are the entertainment and church tours; for sale is delicious, homemade food from members of the parish from national cuisines literally around the globe. This is the only opportunity in South Texas to enjoy homemade ethnic food from such a wide variety of sources.
Among the “best sellers” and available frozen for take-out, are Greek specialties including baklava, pastitsio, spanikopita, tiropita and dolmadas (stuffed grape leaves); and Eastern European favorites, including piroghies and cabbage rolls, both available in several different varieties. The baklava in particular, a Greek dessert made with multiple layers of phyllo dough and crushed nuts, and the piroghies, dumplings filled with whipped potato and cheese or sauerkraut, are traditionally favorites with attendees.
Attendees can enjoy on-site ethnic meals/beverages at the following food booths: Russian tea and coffee shoppe; Greek grill and Souvlaki with authentic Greek cuisine; Ukrainian and Russian cuisine; Ethiopian cuisine and coffee; Mexican food and beverages; and international soups from around the world.
Besides food items, the event includes various quality international arts, crafts, icons and gift booths. In addition, parishioners of St. George are proud to offer homemade soap and St. George Herbal Products; homemade magnificent mustards, herbal honeys and pepper jellies; and handmade beeswax candles.
In addition, children’s holiday activities and storytelling will be available, as well as various musical and international dance performances. And once again, there are reports that the “real” St. Nicholas will make a special guest appearance. Have you or your children’s photo taken with the one and only St. Nick.
The day also serves to support the very busy St. George Food Pantry’s Annual Fundraiser. St. George Food Pantry has served well over 50,000 hungry people in this area over the last few years. “Give a can; get a cookie” – bring cash, canned goods, new or lightly used coats and jackets, children’s clothing or toys and blankets – and receive a complementary cookie.
Finally, a raffle drawing will conclude the day’s events. Prizes include a 42” Plasma Flat Screen TV, Kindle Reader, DVD, 35 MM Digital Camera, Museum of South Texas History tickets, Valley Symphony Orchestra tickets and more.
Preorders on many of the items, including Baklava, are available. Call Father or Elizabeth Perdomo at (956) 781-6114 and/or visit St. George’s website at www.stgeorgetx.org/festival.html for a price list.
Homemade food and beverages from around the world, free entertainment and handmade crafts and gifts will all go to support a good cause.
In-depth information on the St. George parish is available on the church’s website, www.stgeorgetx.org.
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