The organization of the event was coordinated by the South Shore Regional Council in collaboration with the local church, the Parent Committees of the “Socrates IV” and “Platon-Omiros” schools, the Women’s Auxiliary, and the “Zeus” Seniors’ Club. The festival included food booths, traditional dance presentations, music, and community outreach activities.
Greek food items were available throughout the four-day program. These included souvlakia, pies, salads, pastries, loukoumades, and beverages. Attendees came from the South Shore, Laval, and the island of Montreal.
Greek traditional dances were presented on stage by members of organized cultural groups, including the Orpheas Folklore Workshop of Montreal. The dance presentations represented various regions such as Pontus, Macedonia, Epirus, and several island traditions. Dancers included children, teenagers, and adult members. Costumes were worn corresponding to the region of each dance, and choreographed sequences were performed for the audience.
The President of the HCGM, Basile Angelopoulos, addressed attendees during the event. He referred to the recent elections of the Central Council and emphasized the importance of community participation and member registration. He stated that broader
Aphrodite Stathopoulos, President of the South Shore Regional Council, described the timeline and resources involved in preparing the event. According to her statements, planning for the festival began approximately six months prior, and the funding of expenses was covered primarily through sponsorships. Visual materials on-site acknowledged the sponsors.
Father Ioannis, priest of the parish, provided information regarding church activity and community presence in the area. He estimated the Greek population on the South Shore at approximately 7,000 and stated that church attendance tends to increase during major holidays and gradually rises on regular Sundays.
The festival included participation from other regional and administrative figures of the HCGM, including members of the Laval and Montreal Regional Councils. Council Secretary Harry Babaroutsis and Regional Councillor Kyriakos Polimenakos both commented on the need for collaboration between elected representatives and members of the community, especially in organizing events and maintaining church and school operations.
Throughout the weekend, elected officials from multiple levels of government attended the festival. Federal MP Annie Koutrakis, MNA Linda Caron, Brossard city councillors, and other representatives from Laval and nearby municipalities were present and addressed those in attendance. Their remarks included greetings and expressions of acknowledgement to organizers and volunteers.
Youths from various organizations participated as dancers and volunteers. Representatives from the McGill Hellenic Student Association (MHSA) and the local Greek school system described their involvement in community activities and offered information on youth engagement.
Among the participants was Vasilis Kostopoulos, former director of the Montreal Saturday Greek School. He spoke about the importance of maintaining educational structures and stated that increased contributions from members could enhance school resources. His remarks focused on the role of language and educational continuity for Greek heritage preservation.
Volunteers and members of Parent Committees shared comments regarding the operation of the “Socrates IV” school and the events that take place throughout the year. Students and former students of the school gave statements regarding their experiences in Greek education and dance participation.
Community members who attended the festival included individuals who have been residents of the South Shore for decades
Traditional dance presentations took place on multiple days, with coordinated performances from various regions of Greece. The final day included a sequence of dances from Pontus, Crete, and the Aegean Islands. The dance groups concluded their presentations with formal bows and exits.
On-site facilities included a registration kiosk for HCGM memberships and informational booths from various community groups and schools. Posters and banners displayed the names of sponsors and program details.
According to information provided by the organizers, the South Shore festival is one of several recurring summer events coordinated by the HCGM across its three regional councils: Montreal, Laval, and South Shore.
No entry fee was charged for the festival. The event was open to the public and included on-site security, waste disposal services, and coordination with the city of Brossard.
The organizing committee stated that the 43rd edition proceeded according to schedule and logistical plans, and preparations for future events would follow the same collaborative framework. Information regarding next year’s event will be provided by the South Shore Regional Council at a later date.
The 2025 festival concluded with music, volunteer acknowledgements, and public announcements concerning community services, school enrolment, and church-related activities.
A full report of the South Shore greek festival will air on Odyssey-TV and Radio Centre-Ville Montreal 102.3 FM during the 1st week of August.
