Local nursing home looking to put on its own Spiedie Fest Balloon Rally
Elizabeth Church Manor is right down the road from Otsiningo Park and every year on the first weekend of August, the residents look out their windows and see the colorful hot air balloons take flight. However, it’s unsure if the residents will be able to see it this year, especially since the festival was postponed from its original date in August due to the pandemic. Micha says Spiedie Fest has such a long-standing tradition in the area that she could not imagine missing out on the experience. She says her residents have been dealing with the mentally-draining effects of the pandemic and she wanted to cheer them up. “I just thought it would be a fun idea to see if we could get any balloons to lift off from our parking lot, so our residents can see the balloons,” said Micha. “Then, hopefully we can have some spiedies, some music, and just do our own little Spiedie Fest right here on the campus.” While the event is currently meant for the residents of Elizabeth Church Manor, Micha says she thinks many others can enjoy it from other parking lots in the area, as long as people don’t crowd and socially distance themselves. “They don’t get out all that much so their families come in quite a bit, but we haven’t been able to have that since March,” said Micha. “So, I’m just trying to keep their spirits up, keep them happy, and try to have new, fun things as much as we can.”
Micha says if anyone is interested in flying their hot air balloon, to contact her at (607) 722-5521 ext. 347. That’s why Elizabeth Church Manor activities director, Kathy Micha, decided to plan her own little Spiedie Fest. TOWN OF DICKINSON (WBNG) — With Spiedie Fest in limbo, Elizabeth Church Manor right across Otsiningo Park still wanted its residents to enjoy the fun of the festival, even on a smaller scale.
The church is asking those who attend to stay in their cars and wear a mask when ordering. The festival continues tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those who attend can choose from a menu of different authentic Greek food, like baklava. Kostas Papatahomas, the festival’s co-chair says this weekend was the only time the church could do the drive-thru. The festival is taking place in the church’s parking lot on Oct. 16th and 17th. VESTAL (WBNG) — Due to the pandemic, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation celebrated its annual Greek Festival differently this year. “It’s an event that people are asking for,” Papatahomas said. “It wasn’t just for us. We kept getting notes and messages asking if we’re going to have anything this year.” 