Open-air roast

After three decades at the downtown convention center, the Sacramento Greek Festival returns to East Sacramento at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church’s newly opened event center (616 Alhambra Boulevard) on October 6, 7 and 8. The indoor-outdoor event will mimic similar festivals in Greece, said spokesperson Koula Gianulias, who added that you’ll be able to smell lamb roasting and the loukoumades frying blocks away. The festival will feature a gauntlet of rich, flavorful meats, butter-soaked pastries and labor-intensive classics like pastitsio: macaroni layered with seasoned beef and cheeses and topped with a creamy bechamel sauce. Alongside live music from Mythos, there’ll be lessons and performances of Greek dancing as well as an appearance by renowned local artist Greg Kondos, who designed the event’s poster. Tickets are $5 for this all-you-can-Greek fest.