BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Whether you’re celebrating your Greek heritage or you’re becoming Greek for the day, this year’s Greek Fest offers plenty of family fun.

The 40th annual Buffalo Greek Fest kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday evening and runs through the weekend, kicking off what will be a very busy season of festivals in Western New York.

MORE | Click here for the full event details for this year’s Buffalo Greek Fest.

Every year, the Greek Fest is a chance to enjoy all sorts of Greek music, dancing, shopping, wine, and food. Everyone should come with a big appetite and a sweet tooth to take full advantage of all the delicious dishes that are available to try.

This year’s festival features a number of new treats at the bakery, and all of the old favorites.

All of the new features build on a tradition four decades in the making, offering a way for the whole community to get a better understanding of what the Greek culture has to offer.

“As the papou, or the father, in My Big Fat Greek Wedding says, ‘all words come from the Greek,'” said Jeff Gianiodis, the chairperson for this year’s festival. “We are the cradle of European culture, so we want to show our culture, show our pride.”

Putting this festival together is a huge undertaking, especially considering how much it has grown over the last 40 years.

Gianiodis says planning for next year’s festival will begin next week.