Together with Halloween enjoyable, October is proving to be a great month for Bakersfield to be taught extra about completely different church buildings and cultures.
After final week’s Bakersfield Greek Meals Pageant, residents can head to St. Demiana Coptic Orthodox Church for its Coptic Pageant.
Along with a touch of tradition and church historical past, the annual occasion going down Saturday and Sunday will even supply attendees a lot to pattern.
“Will probably be a style of the Center East and particularly Egypt,” mentioned Isis Sterling, one of many competition’s organizers.
The Coptic Orthodox Church, of which St. Demiana is an area parish, is one of many oldest Christian church buildings. It dates again to historical Egypt in A.D. 42 and relies on the teachings of St. Mark, who introduced Christianity to the nation.
The Bakersfield church, established in 1998, has held the competition since 2008.
Just like the Greek competition, meals bought on the Coptic Pageant is made recent for the occasion.
“All the pieces is completed by members of the church,” Sterling mentioned of the baked items and entrees that will likely be on the market.
Choices embody shish kebabs, shawarma, stuffed grape leaves, falafel, potato “tornadoes” (twisted fried potatoes on a stick).
“I do know it’s very talked-about with the kids,” Sterling mentioned of the potato dish.
Diners also can order salads and rice to take pleasure in with their primary dishes.
These with a candy tooth can take pleasure in baklava, Egyptian cookies and different baked gadgets.
Menu pricing ranges from $3 to $15.
Because it has achieved previously, the church will supply a free meal for these in regulation enforcement, firefighters and first responders. To redeem the supply, attendees can are available uniform or present their work identification, Sterling mentioned.
The gathering will even function bounce homes and a wide range of completely different video games, together with basketball, fishing and a toss problem.
Tickets ($1 every) are required to play and could be bought on web site with every sport costing a distinct quantity.
Attendees can pose for a memento photograph with pharaohs and queens of Egypt with a backdrop of the pyramids.
One other memento choice is a customized T-shirt along with your selection of pharaonic picture, which will likely be screen-printed on web site.
Church members will even run a big reward store with a number of Egyptian wares together with jewellery, coptic icons, cultural and religious books in addition to handmade gadgets.
Sterling mentioned, “Loads of our members are proficient they usually make stuff and it’s simply attractive.”
Church excursions will likely be provided each hour, sharing particulars in regards to the native parish in addition to the religion.
Study much more on the sales space charting the Holy Household’s journey by way of Egypt. A docent will supply a short presentation together with a map displaying the place Joseph, Mary and child Jesus traveled to flee the wrath of King Herod.
Sterling mentioned they count on attendance to match final 12 months, which was about 500 guests every day.
“I truly despatched an e mail to all of the earlier attendees from final 12 months,” Sterling mentioned. “Many mentioned they’re undoubtedly coming as a result of it is superior.”
Stefani Dias could be reached at 661-395-7488. Observe her on Twitter at @realstefanidias.
