Blacktown City Festival
Our church has participated in the annual Blacktown City Festival since 1986. The first stalls were situated in the "Village Green" outside the Blacktown City Council Offices.
The stall has always provided "Greek Sweets" for enjoyment of the Blacktown Community and visitors. Many patrons attend the festival each year specifically to buy Greek Honey Puffs (Λουκουμαδες). Indeed the festival celebrates a great number of cultures and provides a venue where you can try food from around the world.
The Philoptohos (Των Φτωχων), which means "Friends to the Poor", have been the backbone of the "Greek Sweets" stall at the Blacktown City Festival. The proceeds of the sale of the Honey Puffs (Λουκουμαδες), Cakes, Sweet Pies and Biscuits, goes to supporting those in need throughout the community.
The festival is held at the beginning of winter, this means that the setting up of the stall in the early morning (around 7am) is done with icy fingers and frozen toes! But the ladies of the Philoptohos don't mind, they are happy to do it.
The ladies of the Church make up the membership of the Philoptohos and the group has changed over the years. However, there are ladies who are still with the Philoptohos since it's beginning in 1986. All of the ladies say they could not do what they do without the help of the volunteers. Many volunteers help on the day of the festival and on other Church festival days. The volunteers are Church members, and include husbands of the Ladies of the Philoptohos, family members and friends.
Greek Honey Puffs (Λουκουμαδες) have been the biggest selling item for the Greek Sweets stall. In the beginning the Honey Puffs were prepared and cooked at the stall itself. The Honey Puffs are best eaten whilst still warm and this allowed the ladies of the Philoptohos to sell the Honey Puffs, as they were ready. To comply with changes to health regulations, the Honey Puffs are now prepared and cooked in the Church's kitchen and hand delivered ready for sale to the stall.
Preparations for making the Honey Puffs, starts on the night before the festival. Because the Honey Puffs have yeast in them, the mixture needs to have time to rise. The next step is to commence cooking on the day of the festival; this normally starts around 1am.
It is an exciting time looking forward to all the happy customers, some regular visitors to the festival, and some old enough to be bringing children and grandchildren to share the experience for the first time. You will always find a smile on the faces of the volunteers serving you.
The Philoptohos would like to thank our Parish Priest for His ongoing support and the Blacktown City Council for its dedication to community based events and support of the local community.
Amazing facts:
- The current recipe for the Honey Puffs is the same one, which was started in 1986 and the lady who provided it is still making them!
- It takes 50kg of potatoes, to make the entire load of Honey Puffs for the festival.
The future of the Greek Sweets stall relies heavily on the continued support of our parish and community. We need to keep attracting volunteers and encourage our ladies to contribute to the Philoptohos. We need to pass on the tradition and skills that will keep the Greek Sweets stall running every year at the Blacktown City Festival.
On behalf of our Church we would like to thank the Ladies of the Philoptohos and the many wonderful volunteers for all the work they do and the happiness they spread throughout the community.
Remember the best way to serve Honey Puffs is:
Heat for approx 10 secs in a microwave*, serve immediately.
*Time may vary depending on microwave.