WHEELING — The parishioners of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church will hold their 20th-annual Grecian Food Festival July 28-31 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“We are located within the Centre Market Historic District, and there will be plenty of free parking available on Chapline Street and at the Center Wheeling parking garage,” a festival spokesperson explained.

The festive outdoor setting will allow patrons to enjoy a fresh gyro, tavern fries, wings or chicken kabob. The youth of the parish community prepare golden fried honey puffs, lemonade and baklava sundaes by day and by night.

The Agape Dancers will perform daily the colorful dances from various regions of Greece to live authentic Greek music provided by an Ohio Valley favorite, The Greek Company.

In addition to outdoor activities, available upstairs in the Hellenic Center Hall will be a variety of festival favorites such as pastitsio, moussaka, spanakopita, stuffed grape leaves and Greek village salad, along with a wide selection of homemade Greek pastries. Food items, only authentic to the Greek culture, are being offered. Vendors will be on hand to enable guests to bring home a piece of Greece.

“It is our hope that all have a wonderful experience at our annual food festival, and that you will enjoy the various virtues that shine through our parish community at such an event — our zeal for the gift of life, our love of fellowship, and our hospitality to our neighbors,” the spokesperson noted.

“Our greatest desire, however, is to share the beauty of our Orthodox Christian faith,” the spokesperson continued, encouraging festivalgoers to visit the bookstore, participate in a church tour, listen in on a liturgical chant demonstration or talk with the Rev. Demetrios Tsikouri, parish priest.

The sanctuary will be open at designated times during the festival for guided tours.

Returning this year are the popular “Fun with Fillo” cooking demonstration presented by Maria Kayafas. The three-day demonstration is at 2 p.m. July 29-31 in the balcony. This year, she will show visitors how to make bougatsa, which is a traditional, and very popular, Greek dessert made with “the creamiest custard wrapped in golden brown crispy phyllo, sprinkled with melted butter and garnished with powdered sugar and cinnamon.”

New this year, meanwhile, is a Kafenio, a Greek coffee house.

Carryout and to-go will be in-person this year with no pre-orders in the upstairs dining area.

Food will be packaged to take home or enjoy in one of the outdoor dining tents.

“Follow us on Facebook at ‘Grecian Festival’ for the latest updates and news or go online and browse www.grecianfest.com for information or to download a menu.” Questions can be directed to (304) 233-0757.