Last year it was super cold and windy but I went and had a great time at the celebration. It is much easier to drive north to Tarpon Springs than to fly to Greece.

Tarpon Springs is a lovely Greek community where Sponge Diving and Tourism are the major industries. Tomorrow, thousands will overflow the small community as they watch the events that mark the baptism of Jesus.

Events begin at 8AM at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. After the church services are finished the traditional procession of clery, altar boys, children dressed in Greek costumes and cross divers will parade to Spring Bayou. There will be high school bands and choirs to provide music along the route.

Around noon the divers will jump into the cold water. and swim to the little row boats placed in a semi circle around the platform that reaches into the bayou. They will stand and wait until his Eminence Archbishop Demetrios blesses the water. A dove will be released and then a cross will be tossed.

Young men ages 16 to 18 will dive from their boats into the water to find the cross. The retrieval of the cross is considered a source of God's abundant blessings and grace. The boy who gets it will be carried back to the church for blessing and a festival of celebration followsThere is Greek food, music and dancing in the park and throughout the town.

I went last year and enjoyed all the special activities for the 100th Epithany. I look forward to going tomorrow. I end up walking alot and enjoy the atmosphere, the chicken slovaki and their incomparable pastry are beyond succulent.

Time to get back to work so I can play hooky tomorrow and head to "Greece" to join in this momentous celebration.