WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The thirty-sixth 36th annual Greek Festival kicked off in Wilmington Friday morning. 

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on South College Rd. is once again hosting the three-day event.

You can park and walk around the festival grounds, or stay in your car to pick up for in the drive thru. Each year, the festival attracts thousands of people eager to enjoy Greek cuisine and culture. 

Festival Chairman Lee King said he’s proud to see the festival grow year after year. 

“It’s just a blessing. I just enjoy people coming and saying ‘we come every year!’ You know, someone walked up earlier and said ‘this is the best Greek food in town’ jokingly. But we really do appreciate that and I think it just gives us such a sense of pride in our community and in our church,” he said. 

A portion of the proceeds from this year’s festival will go to support the Good Shepherd Center, and Hawk’s Harvest at UNCW. 

The festival will run until 10 p.m. on Friday. The festival will resume at 11 a.m. to 10 p.m on Saturday, and Sunday from 11 to 5 p.m.