Bring the whole family and join in the fun at Modesto’s 53rd Annual Greek Food Festival, Sept.15 and 16, 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 and attracts in excess of 8,000 guests.

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 home-style vegetables, rice pilaf, Greek ring bread, and a delectable homemade Greek pastry for dessert.

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 a live Greek band and award-winning Greek dancers dressed in authentic, handmade costumes.

Stroll through the outdoor marketplace 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.

Optional tours are available of the Byzantine-style Orthodox Church that is adorned with magnificent frescoes covering the entire ceiling of the edifice and most of the walls. A beautiful 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.

Take-out meals are available at a convenient drive-up window.

Shuttles to the church are available from Panera Bread parking lot.

Advance tickets are $15 for adults which includes entire meal, live entertainment and entrance to all venues, and are available by calling 209-522-7694 or visiting www.goannunciation.org. Tickets at the door are $18 for adults and $9 for children under 12.

Don’t miss this unique weekend of food, fun and festivities at Modesto’s Greek Food Festival, Saturday, Sept. 15 from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 16, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.