The area's annual Greek Food Festival is less than a week away. Excitement is building for the anticipated event, celebrated annually at Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Clarksburg. 

 

This year's event - the 17th annual - is scheduled for June 8-9. 

 

The late Angelo Koukoulis of Bridgeport was tagged the father of the festival and his family continues to be in the forefront of operations. Daughter Irene Sellas, son-in-law Steve Sellas and their grown children Lea Sellas Delaveris, Stephanie Sellas Alex, Nick Sellas and Maria Sellas all have a special niche in the planning and carrying out of the event which has a two-fold purpose: To support local and nationalculture and heritage.

 

As always, the festival will feature Greek specialty foods like moussaka, pistachio, finikia, kataifi and baklava. Gyros will be available Saturday only. In addition to eat-in and carry-out meals, the festival is an all-inclusive celebration of Greek culture and music and continues to host a marketplace.

 

Both the gyros and the marketplace are fairly new additions to the festival. At the marketplace, festival goers can purchase Greek imports such as honey, olive oil, oregano, Kalamata olives, balsamic and red wine vinegar, candles and soaps, among other items. 

 

Organizers say they are delighted to share their passion for their culture and each works hard at their designated duties, including the creation of the featured dishes. The layering of eggplant and pasta involved in the making of pastichio and moussaka are somewhat symbolic of the depth of the Greek heritage, which has been passed down through the generations.

 

The Greek Festival tradition is not just for members of the local church, but also its  "alumni" and friends from all over, including those from throughout West Virginia and neighboring states. Some travel from as far as North Carolina to work the festival annually. 

Saint Spryridon Greek Orthodox Church is located at 1010 Factory Street, in Clarksburg’s Summit Park area, and can be reached by calling (304) 624-5331 or visiting http://www.stspyridon.wv.goarch.org

 

Festival hours are 11 a.m through 8 p.m. on both Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9.