Saturday 24^th September – Messolonghi (Etoliko Fish Festival)

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This evening we went on the excursion which had been organised for marina folk to the annual fish festival in Etoliko, the small village on the island in the middle of the salt lagoons about 11km from Messolonghi. 

At 18.45 the bus promptly arrived and we all piled on board for the short journey.  A half marathon around the village had been arranged to coincide with the festival and we arrived on our bus by the finish line just as it was finishing.

Penelope, who looks after all things touristy for the town of Messolonghi at the marina, was our host and guide for the evening and took us on a walking tour of Etoliko before we headed to the square for the festival.  At one end of the square, behind a line of serving tables, a number of large BBQs were on the go, each topped with fish cooking, and with smoke billowing into the air.  Near the church there was also an exhibition of pavement art with the artists still hard at work on new drawings.

The fish supper was very good and included a large serving of BBQ’d local fish with bread and salad and as much wine as we could drink all for the princely sum of €3.00!

After dinner, the local TV crew came around and interviewed some of the table and then the Mayor of Messolonghi stopped by to say hello.  Later there was dancing in the square.  With the wine flowing, an extension needed to be arranged with the bus driver for the trip home J

Messolonghi:  Etoliko Fish Festival

© Pyxis 2011