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Community Corner

No. 65: Trek to Woodbury for an Egyptian Festival

For the past 27 years, St. Marks Coptic Orthodox Church has been presenting their annual Egyptian Festival to the community.

In our weekly countdown, we are not just inviting your mummy to stop by the Egyptian Festival, but the whole family.

Walk like an Egyptian or drive there by heading northeast on Woodbury Road. The church is on the right immediately after Avery Road. When you see the mini-pyramid you will have reached your destination.

Have you ever tried authentic Egyptian treats such as Basbousa, Kunafa, or honey dough? These and many more homemade desserts and specialty teas and coffees will be served in the Cleopatra Cafe tent. While enjoying your confections, listen to live sounds coming from an Oud (also known as a lute). Various traditional table games are provided to create the atmosphere of an Egyptian cafe.

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For some savory Giza grub such as Shish Kebab, stuffed grape leaves, Falafel, Kebibah, and Kofta-homemade by the parishioners-head inside to the multi-purpose room to dine there or bring it out to the cafe.

If you are intrigued to learn about one of the oldest forms of Christianity, make sure to take a Coptic church tour and view the film called The Holy Family in Egypt discussing the missing link when Jesus came through Egypt.

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Looking to do some shopping at a bazaar? Check out the Egyptian Market where you will find traditional Egyptian foods, imported Galabeya and Jilbab tunics (made from Egyptian cotton, of course), artifact replicas, unique jewelry, and handmade crafts. Look out for the folks who will write your name in Hieroglyphics within a cartouche on papyrus or on a tee shirt.

Besides the all encompassing theme there will be entertainment for the kids such as video and carnival games with prizes. And in the evenings on Friday and Saturday from 7pm until 9pm, for a small fee, your child will have access to the kid's tent where they can watch movies, drink soda, and eat popcorn.

St. Marks Coptic Orthodox Church - the only one of its kind here on Long Island - sponsors this event every year around early October. So naturally this is no pyramid scheme, it's truly an authentic event to support this house of worship. So don't be in "de-nile", wander over to the festival where you will find some great raffles, too.

Dates: Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and 2

Times: Fri. 6pm-9m, Sat. 11am-9pm, Sun. 11am-6pm

Address: 90 Woodbury Road, Woodbury

Phone: 516-367-1328

Note: St. Joseph's Hospital will be sponsoring flu shots, Glaucoma screenings, and dietary counseling all for $20.

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