Hippocrates’ island boasts important historical sights, an organized tourist infrastructure, gorgeous beaches, picturesque villages, and popular resorts. But it also hosts a number of religious folk festivals that preserve old customs. The panigyri of Ayios Georgios at Pyli on April 23 includes horse-races, while at Asfendiou, in the small woods, tasty local meze is offered guests. On August 15, feast of the Dormition of the Virgin, the villagers of Kefalos offer tasty stewed goat with rice to pilgrims. Other feast days are observed in similar fashion: Holy Spirit, the Ayii Apostoloi on June 29, the Dormition on August 15 at Antimaheia, Ayios Ioannis at Mastihari on August 28, and the birth of the Virgin Mother on September 8 at Kardamaina. The “cup dance” linked to the latter is one of the island’s oldest customs. Traditionally, on the eve of the feast day, the Church Committee would send the “kalogeros” (monk), which was once how the church custodian was known, to fetch the bishop on the village’s finest horse. The bishop’s arrival was heralded with the ringing of the church bells and the clergy, elders, and other community leaders would respectfully welcome the bishop, who was hosted at the home of the committee president. The panigyri the next morning was attended by the teachers, their pupils, community leaders, and the community. To date, the custom that has been preserved is the laying of large tables with food and wine after church services, when the merriment would begin. The committee members would receive lambs, hens, silver, gold, and other votive offerings for the saint. The traditional dish served at the feast was pittarida, long thin noodles with goat meat simmered in tomato sauce. The meal is followed by the “cup dance”, a classic island isos or straight dance led by the priest holding a cup and a straw basket. He is followed in this chain by the committee members but when a couple wishes to join, they go to the head: the woman takes the cup, goes to the lead, and the man would place money in it, while grasping the cup with one hand and the line of dancers in the other. After dancing its round, the couple gives its place to the next couple. Kos also hosts summer festivals highlighting local products, like the Wine Festival at Mastihari during the first week of August, the Fish Festival during the first two weeks of August, the Honey Festival at Kefalos and Antimaheia. The Smelt Festival at Kardamaina is organized during the first ten days of October at Kardamaina while apokries or carnival revelry includes a parade of floats at Antimaheia and Pyli.