FUN WITH FILLO — Maria Kayafas will present Fun with Fillo cooking demonstrations as part of St. John the Divine Grecian Food Festival in Wheeling. -- Contributed

WHEELING — The parishioners of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church are putting the finishing touches on plans for their 21st-annual Grecian Food Festival, which will run from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through July 30.

“It is our hope that our guests have a wonderful experience at our food festival. We are eager to share our zeal for the gift of life, love of fellowship and hospitality with them.” said Gus Kayafas, festival director

The authentic food, atmosphere and hospitality combine to make this one festival area residents do not want to miss this summer, organizers said. There is something for everyone to enjoy and the parishioners cannot wait to share their faith, food and fun with you, they added. The festive outdoor setting allows attendees to enjoy their famous gyro sandwiches, tavern fries, wings or chicken kabobs.

A flaming aged-cheese called Saganaki will be served daily after 4 p.m. The youth prepare golden fried honey puffs, lemonade and baklava sundaes day and by night. The Agape Dancers will perform daily 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, the upstairs area in the Hellenic Center Hall will feature a variety of festival favorites such as pastitsio, moussaka, spanakopita, stuffed grape leaves and Greek village salad, along with a selection of homemade delicious Greek pastries. Flavorful food items, only authentic to the Greek culture, are being offered. Vendors will be on hand, and they will allow guests to bring home a piece of Greece.

Organizers say their greatest desire is to share the beauty of their Orthodox Christian Faith. Those who attend the food festival will have the opportunity to visit the church’s bookstore, participate in church tours, listen in on liturgical chant demonstrations and talk with the Rev. Demetrios Tsikouris, who will answer questions about the ancient faith. The sanctuary will be open at noon, 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. during the festival for guided tours. The Byzantine youth choir will perform daily at 4:45 p.m.

New at the Taverna this year is a “mezze” (appetizer in Greek) of chopped gyro meat, sauteed on the grill with peppers, onions and feta cheese and served with fried pita triangles.

Returning this year are the popular “Fun with Fillo” cooking demonstrations. Maria Kayafas will be presenting at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the educational center. She will show attendees how to make kataifi, a traditional, and very popular, Greek dessert made with shredded fillo wrapped around a sweet almond and walnut mix and soaked in a buttery syrup.

“Among the Greek culture, there is a tradition of Philotimo, the love of doing good for people,” she explained. “This comes across in our cooking, our desire to show hospitality to guests, neighbors and family as we eagerly prepare Greek dishes to share our love for others. It’s just another way to share our culture.”

The popular kafenio, a Greek coffee house, returns this year.

“We are excited to bring back this year a festival favorite introduced last year,” said Danyelle Dunlevy, 18. “You don’t want to miss the kafenio for an iced frappe, baklava cheesecake and ladopsomo, a sweetened fried bread.”

Again this year, all food sales will be in-person, with no pre-orders in the upstairs Hellenic Center. Food can be packaged to take home or can be eaten in an outdoor dining tent.

Follow the festival on Facebook at “Grecian Festival” for the latest updates and news, or go online and browse grecianfest.com for information or to download a menu. For information, call (304) 233-0757.

The church is located in the Center Market Historic District, and free parking will be available on Chapline Street and in the lots across from the church.