This post documents my experience on September 7, 2013.
For the last two years or so, I had known about the St. Mary Magdalene’s European Festival, thanks to street signs and a booth at the Fairview Park Summerfest…
…but I wasn’t able to attend until now.
Once I arrived, I headed to the church…
…passing vendors who sold crafts…
…modern wear (Global Trendsetters)…
…and kettle corn…
…and made my way inside to learn about the various Byzantine cultures…
…their foods…
…their traditions…
…and their generosity…
…via free chocolate and dog biscuits!
After snacking on a bit of both…
…I continued on to a craft show…
…where festival goers could shop among Ukrainian Easter eggs (Psyanky)…
…aprons/potholders (Dias Potholders)…
…and Halloween crafts.
It wasn’t long before I heard music and turned around…
…to find a stage separating the craft room and the dining area.
I thought this was pretty cool, as craft lovers could still appreciate musical numbers…
…and easily run over to the dining hall to catch the more visual performances (Tribal Fire Dancers).
The dining hall was large and bordered with stations…
…for coffee…
…baked goods…
…raffle baskets…
…and a main food serving area…
…that included pierogi, stuffed cabbage…
…and Amherst’s own Your Deli chicken paprikash.
There was also a bar for the adults…
…a large play area for kids…
…with inflatables and activities…
…and church tours for the curious and devote…
…so that they could appreciate the beautiful religious art.