NOW OPEN — Individuals celebrated the opening of the 38th-annual Holy Trinity Greek Fest with a ribbon-cutting Wednesday. The festival will continue on Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. -- Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — Three days of Greek music, food and “kefi” — or enthusiasm — kicked off Wednesday with the opening of the 38th-annual Holy Trinity Greek Fest.

A yearly staple in downtown Steubenville, the Greek Fest is Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church’s primary fundraiser and draws thousands of attendees each year to take part in the fun and enjoy classic Greek delicacies.

Located at the intersection of South Fourth and South streets, the festival will continue Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Anthony Mougianis, festival co-chair with his wife, Tara, noted the tireless effort church members contribute toward putting on the yearly festival.

“Every year is a privilege because as this community ages, it becomes more challenging to put on,” he said. “We take a lot of pride in everything we do here. It’s not only our fundraiser, but it does so much for our little community.”

Mougianis said the food, dancing and culture are great, but the Greek Fest is “one of the only events where people come to celebrate life.”

Outside is the line of street food tents, across the way from seating under the main tent. Outdoor foods are served from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Foods and their sponsors include gyro by Bradley Lawn-Scape Inc.; drinks and snow cones by Valley Hospice; a bar by the Samantha Jackson Team at RE/MAX Edge Realty, serving beer, wine and mixed drinks; and souvlaki and Greek fries by Dr. Niko and Angela Mastros. An addition to the Greek Fest menu, souvlaki is marinated pork served on a skewer, and it will be available Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

A classic dessert being served is loukoumades, sponsored by Angie and Richard Mahfood. Wearing a shirt emblazoned with “Loukou Ladies,” Angie Mahfood described loukoumades as “a Greek version of doughnuts,” or “a little, bite-sized, fluffy, sweet, honey-ball.” The flour mixture is separated into balls and deep fried, then covered with one’s choice of nuts, cinnamon and honey syrup.

Angie Mahfood’s father was one of the church’s charter members and taught Greek to church members every day in its Greek school. Mahfood said she gets emotional when thinking about how Holy Trinity cherishes and passes on its long-held traditions.

Another dessert is the baklava sundae, sponsored by Rana Mahfood-Levenderis. Festival attendee Karen Cirra said she’s “always the first in line” for the sundaes, which she said are “so good.” Serving as the lunch runner for her co-workers at Ohio Valley Honda, Cirra said she and her co-workers “get so excited” about the festival, adding, “We’ll be back again tomorrow.”

Inside Holy Trinity’s Hellenic Hall is the food line sponsored by James Lash Realtor and auctioneer. The line offers Greek dinners from lamb stew to plaki, or baked fish, and à la carte dishes from spanakopita to pastitstio, or Greek lasagna. The food line itself runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and seating is provided inside.

Online orders and carryout orders are accepted for the food line from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Individuals can order online at HolyTrinityGreekFest.com.

Also inside were trays of Greek pastries, including kataifi, baklava and almond cookies, to name a few.

Rana Mahfood was one of the church members who helped prepare the pastries. She noted that the church’s women started baking in January to prepare for the festival.

Mahfood said of the festival preparation period: “It’s a very congenial, fun time to get together, bake, exchange stories.”

The recipes have been handed down since the festival first began as a small cultural event downtown, said Mahfood, who has been an involved member of the church since 1954. Even before the festival, the recipes likely came over to the church from Greek immigrants, she speculated.

Another church member, Marianne Balakos played Holy Trinity’s organ for 50 years and has been a member all her life. Her father was one of the church’s charter members in 1945, when Holy Trinity bought the former Methodist church building. Balakos noted that the Methodist church was constructed in a Byzantine architectural style — something unusual for the denomination — and she added, “It seemed to be built for us.”

So much effort goes into putting on the festival that Balakos said, “It’s not much of a vacation, but it’s a lot of fun for us, too.” She said the festival is a great opportunity to dance, enjoy people’s company and reunite with old friends.

The festival hosts live daytime music each day beginning at 11 a.m., followed by an evening band at 6 p.m. The main bandstand is sponsored by Francesca Carinci.

Each night at 7 p.m. sees a group of Greek dancers, with two professional groups from Pittsburgh and another from Wheeling, with the Holy Trinity youth will joining along.

Returning this year after a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor vendors include Charmed Boho Chic Boutique, So Blue Greek Ceramics and Gifts and Secrets of the Desert jewelry.

Periodical church tours are led by the Rev. Yanni Verginis, who is in his second year as Holy Trinity’s pastor. Before the festival opened, Verginis gave an Orthodox Christian blessing over volunteers and their work in Hellenic Hall, and he offered personal thanks to those putting in effort.

The festival’s Main sponsor is Capital Health Care Network, and secondary sponsors are Theo Yianni’s and Trinity Health System.

As it does every year, Holy Trinity donated $1,000 to a charity, this year selecting A Caring Place Child Advocacy Center as its recipient. A Caring Place works with children who have been physically or sexually abused throughout the investigation process and works toward abuse prevention.

Amy Lingerfelt, director and advocate, said of the donation: “We’re very grateful. It does a lot for a small non-profit. … Every penny helps for helping kids.”