A stage performance photograph by Kyriakos Caros showing GreekFest dancers at Clearwater Greekfest. Captured in a wide shot under a white outdoor event tent at night, a lineup of youth dancers performs traditional Greek folk dances on stage while holding hands. The dancers wear authentic folk costumes featuring white shirts, dark vests, red sashes, and black or red headwear, while an audience of attendees watches from the background under festival lighting. — GreekFest dancers Credit: Kyriakos Caros / Clearwater Greek Festival

At nearly 60 years old, the Clearwater GreekFest is one of the oldest cultural celebrations in the Bay area.

A fundraiser for the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, the three-day pita party includes tours of the grand cathedral (which was severely damaged by fire in 2015 before reopening four years later), an “opa!” party tent, and hordes of beloved Greek foods from lamb shank, to salad, plaki, pastitsio, gyros, souvlaki, desserts and more.

Cooking demonstrations and Hellas dancers of all ages round out festivities.

Operating since 1969 the local Greek Orthodox community emphasizes that folks don’t have to be from the motherland to join, adding that “in fact 80% of marriages in our church today are between Greeks and non-Greeks.” Bring some breath mints then, too.

There’s no cover, but bring money for food, during Clearwater GreekFest happening Friday-Sunday, Oct. 23-25 at the Greek Orthodox Church in Clearwater.