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WEIRTON -- The sounds, smells and hospitality of Greece have returned to the streets of Weirton with the 31st-annual Weirton Greek Festival.
After a blessing by the Rev. Frank Milanese, members of All Saints Greek Orthodox Church cut the ribbon to open the event Thursday morning.
"It's our 31st year," said festival Chair Nick Tranto, noting the festival had its beginning in the 1960s as a church picnic in Langeloth, Pa., before moving to the Serbian Picnic Grounds in Weirton in the early 1980s.
The first Weirton Greek Festival was moved to the church, at 3528 West St., in 1987.
"We've been here ever since, and keep growing," Tranto said.
The festival will continue from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. today and Saturday.
According to Tranto, parish members and volunteers have been busy in recent weeks preparing the homemade food for the festival, including 3,700 pieces of baklava, 1,200 pounds of lamb, 1,200 pounds of chicken, 500 pounds of fish and 400 pounds of meatballs.
More than 8,000 people visited the festival in 2017, he noted.
"If we didn't have all those community volunteers and friends, we couldn't do it," Tranto said, expressing his appreciation for all who help.
Tranto, himself a first-generation American whose parents were immigrants from Greece, said hospitality and the spirit of volunteerism are important to church members. They focus on the idea of "philoxenia," a term which means "enter a stranger, leave as a friend."
Throughout the three-day festival, visitors will have an opportunity to try a variety of food, from lamb dishes to chicken or fish, moussaka, grape leaves, pastichio and various pastries; be entertained by the Aegean Dancers of All Saints Weirton and the Greek Company Orchestra; and learn more about the church culture with free tours.
"The traditions and customs we follow are passed on from generation to generation," he said.
The recipes used at the festival are based on many of those brought to the United States by parents and grandparents of current church members, mingling ideas of today with those originating in the Greek mainland as well as the islands of Kos, Chios, Crete and Rhodes.
Food is available inside the church social hall, with a variety of booths located outside.
To place an order, call (304) 797-9884, or fax (304) 797-1725 at least one hour in advance. No pre-order take outs will be available after 5 p.m.
Tranto said proceeds from the festival account for approximately 40 percent of the church's yearly revenue. The money assists with church ministries and charitable programs.