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Salt Lake City's largest ethnic event is celebrating its 40th Anniversary and is rejoicing in style.

From the humble beginnings in the basement of Holy Trinity Cathedral, to a sprawling fair that reaches across blocks of Downtown Salt Lake City, the Greek Festival is poised to ring in its anniversary with thousands who make the event an annual tradition. The festival will be held Sept. 11-13 at 279 S. 300 W. and begins at 11 a.m., and stays open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 8 p.m. Sunday.

"The Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake is delighted to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Salt Lake Greek Festival," said Alicia Mares, Parish Council President. "Our annual event gives us the opportunity to share our deep rooted culture with the great people of Salt Lake City and beyond."

The festival's hallmarks — delectable food and entertainment — continue this year with a barrage of Greek traditions that have become Salt Lake City staples. Tables of plump dolmathes, layers of fluffy and savory pastitsio, hearty spanakopita and pounds of feta and olives await hungry festivalgoers.

(Sugar satisfies any appetite, so save room for flaky sweet baklava, to-die-for baklava sundaes, dunk-able koulourakia, or our personal favorite: amigdalota, which are almond-flavored cookies — think marzipan, but with nutmeg and much better.)

But just like the lines for food fill up quickly, so does seating for entertainment, which boasts the best in traditional and contemporary Greek folk dancing. Like years before, the main stage fills up quickly with adult and children dance troupes, performing for attendees.

There are entertainment options for children, live Greek music provided daily by the Chris Dokos band, tours of Holy Trinity Cathedral, as well as the Hellenic Cultural Museum. Each Greek festival boasts a comprehensive look at Greek culture, with plenty of arts, crafts and memorabilia available for purchase.

But this year's festival is unlike any other. As the 40th year of the annual celebration in Downtown Salt Lake City, festival organizers have plenty in store.

"We invite you to join us in experiencing our Greek heritage," said Alicia Mares, Parish Council President. "Enjoy a wide variety of food and drink while being entertained with Greek music and dance performances. OPA!"

The Salt Lake City Greek Festival is an annual fundraising event for the Greek Orthodox Church. It will be held Sept. 11-13 at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Cathedral campus, which is located at 279 S. 300 W. in Salt Lake City. Festival hours are 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday. Tickets, which cost $3 (children younger than 5 are free), are available at the door. For more information, call 801-328-9681 or go to saltlakegreekfestival.com .