Bring the whole family and join in the fun at Modesto’s 58th Annual Greek Food Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 16 and 17, 2023, at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 313 Tokay Ave., Modesto. Known as one of the finest ethnic events in the San Joaquin Valley, the festival has been hosted by the Annunciation Church since 1966. Hours are Saturday noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Featuring authentic Greek cuisine, enjoy a fabulous Greek dinner, served personally by members of the Annunciation community, and experience Greek hospitality at its finest. The menu includes Greek salad (complete with feta cheese and kalamata olives), baked herb chicken, Greek homestyle vegetables, rice pilafi, Greek ring bread, and a delectable homemade Greek pastry for dessert.

Advance sale tickets are $18; cost is $20 at the door, which includes the entire meal, live entertainment and entrance to all venues, and are available by calling 209-522-7694 or visiting www.goannunciation.org.

You can also visit the outdoor coffeehouse where beautiful Grecian murals and live Greek music blend to create a vibrant Greek ambiance. Experience rich, Greek coffee and hot, made-on-the-spot Greek doughnut holes while being entertained by performances of a live Greek band and award-winning Greek dance troupes dressed in authentic, handmade costumes.

The Marketplace gives you an opportunity to stroll through the outdoor venue and shop for imported jewelry, clothing, crafts and deli items. Visit the bakery shop and take home your favorite homemade Greek pastries. Choose from a variety of delicious treats including the mouth-watering baklava.

Tours are available of the Byzantine-style Orthodox Church that is adorned with frescoes covering the entire ceiling of the edifice and most of the walls. A mosaic icon of the Annunciation greets visitors at the entrance of the Church. Designed in Italy, this masterpiece of Byzantine art was created with more than one million pieces of glass tiles.

Along with the chance to eat in and enjoy all aspects of the festival, there will also be take-out meals available.