SACO — The parishioners of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox are at it again ”“ working countless hours to prepare thousands of Greek pastries and other delicacies people come back for every year at the annual Greek Festival.

The 19th annual Greek Festival will be held this year Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, July 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Bradley St.

On a recent morning, parishioners were making thiples, working in teams to complete the multi-step process that includes rolling the dough into strips on a press, cutting the dough, rolling it, frying the thin, flaky pastries that will later be dipped in a honey sauce.

Other pastries that are prepared for the event are finikia, a walnut spiced cookie dipped in honey; paxemathia, a Greek version of biscotti; and the most popular, baklava.

In total, about 23,000 pieces of pastry are prepared for the festival, said parishioner Helen Spirounias.

“We never change our recipes,” she said.

Meals will be served as well, including Greek roasted chicken, gyros, lamb shish-kabobs, and moussaka ”“ layers of eggplant, seasoned ground beef, grated cheese and a seasoned sauce.

Parishioner Rhoda Conley said nearly 3,000 dolmathes ”“ stuffed grape leaves ”“ will also be prepared.

It’s a lot of work for the parishioners, said Conley, but “It’s a real social thing, too.”

Also on the schedule at the annual festival are church tours, Greek music and youth dance performances. There will also be a book store, a children’s area and a Greek market.

The festival is the largest event the church puts on all year, and funds raised are used to pay the mortgage, said Spirounias.

“It’s a family event,” she said.

There will be shuttle buses to the festival from Saco Valley Shopping Center and Saco Parks and Recreation Friday and Saturday from 5-10 p.m.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].