For various reason  Patrides Western Bureau took a leave of absence over the summer and early autumn so the following is a short summary of some of the events that took place during that time.

June 3 – 12 – GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL IN SURREY

     The annual event took place on the parking lot of the Greek Orthodox Community of Surrey (Ss. Constantine & Helen Church). As the event takes place in late spring the weather does not always cooperate. As usual the people attending this event had to put up with many damp and cool days but according to organizers the sale of lamb, souvlaki and other Greek food went well.

June 19 –  FAMILY  FESTIVAL

     The Hellenic Community of Vancouver presented its 3^rd annual family festival. It took place in the parking lot of the community centre from noon to 6:30 pm on Sunday, June 19^th.  There were rides for the children, crafts, live entertainment, Greek music and of course Greek food.

June 26, 2005 –GREEK DAY RETURNED TO VANCOUVER

     The popular street festival of the 1970’s and 1980’s returned to Broadway Avenue. The last one had been held in 1988. In 2004 the Hellenic Canadian Congress of BC tried to revive the event but it did not get off the ground that year. Instead they decided to take their time to organize for 2005.  This year’s revived Greek Day drew a crowd of over 30,000.

Prior to 1986 pubs were not open on Sundays so the street event always drew large crowds of those wishing to get their fill of beer. With the Sunday openings of pubs and shopping malls the crowds became smaller. The cost of policing and clean-up greatly increased. Many of the Greek organizations felt they could no longer afford to participate. The death of Nick Tsapantis, one of the main organizers of the event also played a large part in the decision to end the yearly event.

     Greek Day on Broadway was the Grand Finale to Hellenic Cultural Week which included: arts displays, photographic exhibitions, book displays and workshops. It also included two lectures and a three day film festival. On the Friday night the Hellenic Community Centre was the scene of a musical “Rembetiko Night” which featured traditional instruments like the bouzouki associated with the Greek Blues.

     The major complaint heard at the street festival was in regards to the fencing put around the whole area which limited access. Dog lovers in particular were disappointed as they were not allowed to bring their dogs into the festival area. No mention had been made in all the advertising that dogs were not allowed. So many potential participants turned around and went home.

Overall the organizers and the participants were pleased with this year’s event and hope that next year’s will be even bigger and better.

JULY 1 – JULY 10 – GREEK SUMMER FESTIVAL – EAST VANCOUVER

     The Greek Orthodox Community of East Vancouver (Ss. Nicholas & Dimitrios Church) invited everyone to “Live a Day the Greek Way”. Their annual fundraising festival which ran daily from noon until 11pm featured Greek food, drink and live entertainment. On the weekends a number of Greek dance groups performed and the local bouzouki players and singers finished of the evening entertainment.