Serving up tasty treats fit for the Gods, the 40TH ANNUAL GREEK FESTIVAL in Arcadia September 19 and 20, offers a "must not miss" weekend celebration with traditional Greek foods, arts and crafts, folk dancing, festive music and entertainment, playland for kids, hands-on cooking demonstrations, fun contests, and more.

Bringing a slice of Greece to the Southland, GREEK FEST 98 blends together the historical ancient times of Greek culture with today's Modern Age in a classic celebration of community and heritage. Landmark Santa Anita Park in Arcadia (285 W. Huntington Drive) transforms into a mini "Greek Town" to host festivities from 12PM to 10PM, with all proceeds benefitting Pasadena's Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church.

"We're proud to carry on a tradition from a homeland rich with unique tastes and culture," says Dean Treantafelles, Chairman of Publicity for the 40th Annual Greek Festival. "In ancient days Greek Villages staged a festival or 'panegyri' to honor the village's patron saint. Now our church members serve as volunteers, and not only is it tremendous fun for everyone concerned, but the funds raised help Saint Anthony's church and all it does within our community."

Affordable family fun, a three dollar admission charge and free parking allows guests to experience all of the magic and splendor of a vacation in Greece without ever leaving the San Gabriel Valley, complete with the sites, sounds and delicacies found in the far-away Acropolis.

No doubt the highlight of the two-day fete, a stupendous banquet of delectables from time-honored recipes will satisfy any appetite. Two weeks prior to the event, several dozen church volunteers work to hand-prepare favorite dishes such as Dolmathes (grapevine leaves stuffed with ground beef, seasoned rice and herbs), spanakopita (thin filo dough filled with spinach and cheeses), souvlakia (lamb shish-kabob), and moussaka (eggplant with beef filling), and more. Close to 20,000 pieces of mouth-watering pastries like baklava (filo dough filled with nuts and spices), loukoumathes (pastry puffs sweetened with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon), sudeki (sweet bread), and ravani (butter almond cake), are also available for snacking or take home.

Greek music from the well-known Hellenic Sounds will fill the air, and performances by Greek Folk Dancers in authentic costumes promise to add to the atmosphere. For festival-goers who like to get involved, dance workshops take place twice daily and scheduled cooking demonstrations share well-kept secrets passed from generation to generation. Shoppers will enjoy the unique "agora" marketplace offering arts and crafts, handmade pottery, jewelry, weaving, and books. An area geared for the youngest of heart features games, contests, and other activities.

Tickets for the 40th Annual Greek Festival, GREEK FEST 98, can be purchased at the gate or in advance through Saint Anthony's by calling (626) 449-6943 or visiting the website at www.hellenicfestival.org. Adults are $3.00, and children under 12 are free. Convenient free parking on site is available by entering Santa Anita at Gate 3, off of Huntington Drive.

For more information, call Saint Anthony's Greek Orthodox Church at (626) 449-6943.