The delightful summer months tiptoe down our streets, wrapping the days with warmth. Cloaked in our deep passion are deposits of confidence, creativity, hospitality and fun waiting to be enjoyed.

Tourists and natives enjoy the vigor of the many festivals. Festivals and fairs are the result of dedicated groups and individuals who work together to create, maintain and help these events prosper. Dedicated folks make an essential contribution of time, energy and skills ”“ a community of many hands and hearts working together. Folks who live states apart may unexpectedly meet. Especially valued are the warmth and personality that guests bring to these events.

Each festival or fair has a distinct flavor of its own. But they all have interests for imaginative young minds ”“ from face painting and activities to books. What fun and what treasures for these youngsters.

Celebrating the mid-summer season is the annual St. Demetrios Greek Heritage Festival, set for Friday through Sunday, July 11-13.

The wonderful aromas are already coming from the church’s kitchen, creating a sense of anticipation. Holding up to festival traditions, the bakers and chefs are at the ovens preparing. They take their cooking seriously, because serving guests means a great deal to them. For the ladies, baking is an irresistible pleasure, creating delicious and bold flavors. With finesse and precision, the leader of the ladies, Julie Argoritsas, along with her team, always succeed in their task of baking thousands of pieces of pastry.

For the festival, chefs prepare a culinary tour of Greece ”“ a food lover’s dream. Guests can enjoy tasting several centuries of cooking. Our cooks go to great lengths to find the freshest and best ingredients.

Your ongoing support is greatly appreciated, but the fact that you become “Greek” for a little while is equally delightful. We hope the joy of the folk music and dancing under the tent, the cultural table, the Greek food store, Father Basil’s lectures and much more become wonderful, memorable experiences.

There is no admission and parking is free at the festival. Free satellite parking with a shuttle bus is also offered from 5-10 p.m. from the Saco Parks and Recreation Center and Shaw’s Plaza. For more information, call Stephanie at 284-5651 or go to www.stdemetriosmaine.com. St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church is located at 186 Bradley St. in Saco.

Following the Greek festival is another Maine favorite: The 38th annual Blueberry Fair at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Kennebunk. Folks are invited to partake on Saturday, July 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. More than 40 artisans and crafters from all over New England will be extending their creative imaginations, offering paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, pottery, stone wood ornaments, hand painted scarfs, soaps and much, much more.

Most importantly, baked blueberry goods will be for sale all day, along with coffee and beverages.

Lunch will offer another chance to taste Maine’s signature berry. After indulging in New England haddock chowder, crabmeat roll and hot dogs, dessert is blueberry pie. Lunch is served between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. There is no admission, but there will be a 50/50 raffle. For more information, call 985-3700.

Anyone interested in renting space to display their wares during the festival still has time; call David Reece at 251-2048 or email [email protected] for information.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at [email protected].