Sacramento is in for a treat, The Annual Greek Festival is back for its 46th year in a row. 

Be aware, you do not have to be Greek to attend, free to join in on the fun and enjoy the food, entertainment, raffle and Greek/Mediterranean vendors.  This year's event's consist of performances by Neo Kyma dancers and levendopeda(Greek Folk Dancers), Dance performances by Athanatoi and Sacramento's "Omega" Band, just to name a few. Not to mention, small vendors from all of California are also in town, such as It's Greek To Me Imports from Oakland selling greek music and videos, and HZ Boutique from LA selling clothing.

"We expect about 12,000 people this weekend," Raffle Chair Terry Kastanis said. "As a matter of fact, this is the third- largest event in Sacramento other than the State Fair and Jazz Festival in May."

The Greek Festival was founded in 1963 by the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in an efforts to build and maintain their church, according to their festival booklet.  

Kastanis said the event has about 500 volunteers this year, who are mainly parishioners at the Orthodox Church. This year the event is being sponsors by companies such as Wells Fargo, CGI and The Old Spaghetti Factory, to name a few. 

But no matter how many sponsors and volunteers there are, the event would not be possible without the community.

"We've been coming here for years," Andrew Varakas said. "My wife is really good at cooking Greek food, but all Greek food is good."

Varakas and his wife Lilian are Greek immigrants who came to the United States in 1947.  They have been attending the festival for 25 years and say they enjoy everything about it.  Varakas said he recalled attending the festival when it was hosted at Cal Expo and even the Orthodox Church years ago. He said he has also noticed a change in the management of the event.  

"This year isn't as crowded, and I noticed a lot of tables for dinner," Varakas said.

The community members, of course, aren't the only ones who have been attending the festival for years.

"We go to festivals and other special events, and this is our 10th year as vendors coming to this Festival ," owner of It's Greek To Me Imports Parthena Kanelos said.

Even Kanelos, and her husband, John, have been attended the festival even before they became vendors.  Kanelos said they have participated in the event for overmore than 20 years.

This year’s menu consist of tasty food, such as Gyro (lean beef and spices in a peita topped with onions, tomatoes and tzatziki sauce), Spanakopita (filo dough filled with spinach and cheeses), Loukoumathes (Greek doughnut puffs smothered in honey and sprinkled with cinnamon) and many more.

If you have not yet attended the festival, fear not.  You still have Saturday and Sunday to grab some food and enjoy the music.

For more information, visit www.sacramentogreekfestival.com