|
From 1935 through the mid 1960's, the Mothers Organization sponsored an
annual one day Bazaar. It was first held in the basement of the church and
later in the Memorial Cultural Center.
In 1965, the Mothers Organization became the Holy Trinity Philoptochos
Society and they continued the one day Bazaar until 1975 when the Philopthochos
and the Parish Council decided to do a joint effort and expand the event
for two days. In 1976, an additional day was added to the Festival expanding
the event to three days.
From 1977 to 1979, in an effort to accommodate the increasing number
of visitors attending the Festival, the community decided to add the Cultural
Center which provided seating for 400 people and also added a larger kitchen
for food preparation.
As the Greek Festival continued to grow from 1978 through 1988, additional
property was secured to provide additional space for the festival visitors.
In 1992-1993, the Parish Council approved the construction of a warehouse
to help prepare for the festival. In addition, during this period the
courtyard between the Cultural Center and Holy Trinity Cathedral was renovated
with a fountain and benches and was made available for festival visitors
to enjoy.
In 1992, the Hellenic Cultural Association opened the Hellenic Museum
in the basement of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. The museum became the first
Ethnic Greek Museum in the United States and attracts many visitors throughout
the year and especially during the Festival.
 The
Salt Lake City Greek Festival has more and more visitors every
year. The Festival has had as many as 50,000 visitors during
the three day event.
During the Salt Lake City Greek Festival in 2006 visitors were able to
tour the renovated Holy Trinity Cathedral and Hellenic Museum.
In 2007, the Festival will add another day and will be opening up Thursday
evening providing four days for the Festival visitors to visit our Holy
Trinity Cathedral, our museum and enjoy the sight, sounds and aromas of
Greece.
The Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake sets aside funds every
year from the Festival to support many charities in our community.
Brief history of the Greek Orthodox Church |
|
