SACO — In a world where technology seems to change almost every minute, and trends and fads come and go each year, there are traditions that still remain important.

One such tradition is the annual Greek Festival, held every summer for the past 21 years at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Bradley St. This year, the festival runs 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Following time-honored recipes, a team of ladies from St. Demetrios have busied themselves with making pastries – about 23,000, said parishioner Helen Spirounias.

“That old saying, ‘it takes a village’ – it sure does,” said pastry chairwoman Patti Jordan.

The most popular pastry is baklava – delicate, flaky phyllo dough layered with walnuts, spices and honey – but there are a host of other delicacies as well, including paxemathia, a Greek version of biscotti; koulourakia, a butter cookie topped with sesame seeds; and galatoboureko, a baked custard.

There will also be plenty of traditional Greek dishes for lunch and dinner, including gyros, spanakopita (phyllo dough layered with spinach and feta cheese), and pastitsio, a baked pasta dish.

The festival includes music and dance performances, a Greek grocery store and bookstore, a children’s area and church tours.

Admission and parking are free, and there will be shuttles from overflow lots at the Franklin Street Community Center and the Saco Valley Shopping Center from 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights.

For more information, call 284-5651.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.