RENO — Getting into the spirit of festive tradition, dancers will kick up their heels, delicious food will be devoured and fun will be had at this weekend’s Greek Festival at St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Reno.

The annual event, which is in its 23rd year at the church’s location on Lakeside Drive, is the biggest fundraiser for St. Anthony’s, which expects between 5,000 and 6,000 people to attend the event.

The Greek Festival is held from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. today, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

“It’s very traditional,” said Lori Knudtcon, administrative assistant for the church. “It’s good food, good pastries, it’s traditional Greek desserts. There are a lot of music and dancing exhibitions.”

Although the dancers deserve attention, Knudtcon said the Greek food usually takes center stage.

“The food is spread throughout the venue and people can pick and choose what they want,” Knudtcon said, adding there will be gyros, Greek sausage, pork skewers and lamb chops as well as traditional desserts and drinks.

When asked what makes the festival so good, Knudtcon responded, “The food because all the food is made fresh here. It’s not imported from a supplier.”

When not eating, people who attend the Greek Festival can watch performers. For the kids, there will be an area setup with games and prizes, Knudtcon said.

“There is a live band that performs intermittently throughout the weekend,” she added. “We have our own St. Anthony dancers from the parish and we will also have the Dionysios Dancers from Salt Lake City.”

The event also will have craft booths and a silent auction.

To help ease the traffic and parking congestion that happens when people flock to the Greek Festival, Knudtcon said St. Luke’s Lutheran Church is allowing people to park there. A shuttle will then take people to St. Anthony. St. Luke’s is located at 3835 Lakeside Drive in Reno. The Greek Festival at St. Anthony is at 4795 Lakeside Drive in Reno.

Tickets for the event cost $5 at the door with food being a separate cost. Knudtcon said people can purchase advance tickets for $10 until noon today. Those tickets are $10 and are exchanged for $10 in food tokens at the door, waiving the $5 entrance fee.

“The atmosphere is just really nice, everyone is in a good mood and it’s just a really good time,” Knudtson said. “A lot of people come out with groups of friends. It’s just a really great way to spend the evening.”

For more information, visit www.saintanthonyreno.org or call 825-5365.