Greek Festival: Good food, good times and the mayor

Bloomberg and other politicians make appearances at event staged at Bulls Head church

Sunday, September 10, 2006

By ALEXANDRA M. JACOBS

ADVANCE STAFF WRITER

Even a stageful of stumping politicians couldn't distract yesterday's visitors to the 36th annual Greek Festival from the matter at hand -- good food and good times.

"We come every year. The kids love the rides, and my husband just loves the food," said Amy Rikic of Manor Heights, with four children in tow.

Drawn by the sweet scent of baklava and the sizzling sight of grilled lamb, visitors to the festival at the Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Bulls Head waited in snaking lines to sample the famous Greek specialties.

"There is nothing here that's good for my waistline, but there's everything good for my palate!" said Mayor Michael Bloomberg, as he sampled galacktobouriko, a custard pie with syrup.

After stumping for City Councilman Andrew Lanza's (R-South Shore) state Senate bid onstage, the mayor tried his hand at cutting gyro meat off the skewer.

"This is a great Staten Island tradition of families and culture coming together," Lanza said.

Also gracing the stage were GOP state attorney general candidate Jeanine Pirro, Assembly candidate Anthony Xanthakis, outgoing Assemblyman Matthew Mirones and Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island).

Also in attendance was Robert Helbock, Lanza's opponent in the Republican primary on Tuesday.

"I'm getting a great response from voters," said Helbock, adding that he'll bring his kids for the rides and games tomorrow night, when it's less crowded.

"Everybody on Staten Island becomes half Greek because of this festival," said Christine Victoria Charitis of Eltingville.

A member of the church, she was selling copies of her book, "Staten Island's Greek Community," and even gave a copy to the mayor.

"People come and tell me about all the Greeks they knew," she said, as Philip Hatsis, formerly of Bulls Head, pointed to his relatives in the book's photos.

Visitors were greeted by a guard of helmeted Greek warriors in classic Spartan, Athenian and Corinthian armor.

"I've been coming to this festival for years, so it's nice to continue the tradition," said George Marcinek of New Dorp Beach, the group's founder. "People really enjoy it and appreciate it."

The outdoor festival continues tomorrow, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and next weekend, from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday, 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturday and 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Alexandra M. Jacobs is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at jacobs@siadvance.com.

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