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If you look back at the last 40 years or so, you will come across a lot of events and festivals that have come and gone.
And while the reasons why some have gone are varied, there remain some that have managed to survive the test of time.
One that stands out is the annual Greek Fest put on by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Steubenville.
This year's festival, which will run Wednesday through Friday, will be the 38th annual. Among the reasons it has been able to remain a staple of the early part of the summer season is the addition of new pieces that help keep the event fresh.
That, according to Tony Mougianis, who's once again serving as co-chair with his wife, Tara, includes expanding a menu that already is filled with food that is part of a deep Greek tradition.
"There are some new things, some new pastries," Mougianis said while speaking Monday during the festival's annual press conference and tasting.
He was especially excited about the addition of a new item that will be available outside of the church, which is located at the corner of South and South Fourth streets.
"This year, we're bringing on souvlaki, and that's something we've never had before," he explained. "It's pieces of pork that are cooked on a skewer, and we'll serve them with pitas. We'll have that outside, right next to the gyros."
Whether your favorite food is the pastitsio, the roasted chicken, the plaki fish, the lamb stew, the loukaniko, the moussaka, the grape leaves, the spanakopita, the rice pilaf, the green beans or any of the pastries and other treats that will be available -- including the loukoumades (the freshly fried doughnuts that are covered in honey) and the famous baklava sundae -- the quality of the food and the care of the preparation remain special.
"Slowly, but surely, the ladies and men of the church start gathering and start to make all of the baklava and the other pastries that are all still hand made," Mougianis said.
By the time the festival comes to a close, all expectations are that another record-setting crowd that includes residents of the Tri-State Area and beyond will attend. Last year's event, Mougianis explained, drew more than 20,000 people.
"We're so excited for this year," he said. "A couple of years ago, we had COVID, and that threw us for a loop, but we're back strong, and we are anticipating record numbers. We're just thrilled to be able to bring this back to the community."
Staying involved with and connected to the community is an important part of the festival. Each year, organizers choose a nonprofit to receive a portion of the proceeds. This year's recipient, A Caring Place Child Advocacy Center, will accept its $1,000 donation during the ribbon-cutting event scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday.
And the community responds, with major sponsors for the three-day event including Capital Health Care Network, Theo Yanni's and Trinity Health System.
This year's festival will coincide with a couple of days of the annual Dean Martin Festival, which will run Thursday through Saturday. While events will be held at several locations around the city, including Historic Fort Steuben, the Jefferson County Historical Museum and Beatty Park, the center of activities for the annual tribute to Martin, who was born in Steubenville on June 7, 1917, will be the Spot Bar, which sits just about a half of a block away from the church on Fourth Street.
Mougianis said he expects that means there will be plenty of overlap among those who are attending either of the festivals.
While the Greek festival has become an important event in the community, it is vital to the church.
"Our motivation is to keep the church alive," Mougianis said. "We've had attrition, people have died. At one time we probably had 175 families -- today we have about 80.
"So, it's an economic thing, aside from how we really want to be a part of celebrating the community. People look forward to it, and we feel that obligation."
Its spirit is evident in how members of the church always rally for the event.
"The people have a passion to just keep fighting," he added. "We're older, we get weary quicker, but we keep fighting through it. They come out -- for a religious event, we might have to struggle, but for baking and getting ready for the festival, they come out with enthusiasm.
"It really brings the community together -- you know, the one year when we couldn't do it as large, a lot of people came to me and said, 'Please don't let this go.' People look forward to this, so we're going to fight as long as we can to keep it going."
That attachment between the church and area residents is what will ensure the festival will thrive.
"I think this is different from a lot of similar event," Mougianis said. "It seems like it's a reunion of many things. People are in town for the summer. They get together here, and they celebrate with each other. It's an exciting few days."
(Gallabrese, a resident of Steubenville, is executive editor of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times.)