I ate too much. I really, really, ate too much. The trouble with Greek food is that you eat it, and three, four days later you're hungry again.
I can confirm there is a definite increased presence by the Wauwatosa police at Greek Fest, the church festival on the grounds of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church on Milwaukee's Northwest side.
The Wauwatosa Police Department even has a big sign reminding you they are there as you leave the main fairgrounds for the scaled-down carnival rides. Just beyond the sign there was at least one visible police officer, often two. And there were plenty of other police officers on-site.
Of course, it probably helps cut through the police bureaucracy when you have someone like Evan Zeppos working the gyro tent.
The carnival rides are definitely smaller in scope. The remaining rides and games are targeted to the very young children. The only "adult" ride was the ferris wheel. The rides and games shut down at 7:00pm, with ticket sales stopping at 6:00 pm.
Meanwhile, the food is as wonderful as ever. Gyros, shishkebob, flaming cheese, Opa! Every year it seems they bring out something new to try. I regret I did not save the room for the baklava sundae.
The music area was actually drawing a crowd when we left as they were bringing out the Greek dancers. I would be more inclined to stay if they would put up some sort of shade for the grandstand. On the asphalt under that hot sun is just too much to expect of the spectators. As for the dancers, they must lose twenty pounds in that heat.
(I had a Greek roommate once who complained Greek ethnic dance is very boring. I think he secretly wished he was Irish. Of course, he drank like an Irishman, so in some ways he made up for it. On the flip side, as an Irishman I have a drinking story that involves Ouzo. It wasn't pretty.)
One pleasant change this year is the switch to Coca-Cola products. Unfortunately, they did not get rid of Budweiser, forcing me, twisting my arm, to drink wine instead.
The festival runs again tomorrow. Arrive early so you can stock up at the bulk meat tent. Yes, I said bulk meat. They also sell bread and cheese.
Update! 7/10/05 6:58pm Attendance was up again today. Evan Zeppos was even looking for production help on the gyro line at lunch today. The consensus among the Wigdersons is that people waited to see if there was going to be trouble this year. When the festival avoided trouble the regluar crowd returned today.
