Festival offering drive-up gyros, pies and other reasons to say ‘OPA!’

You can also pre-order and pick up favorites from Italian Fall Festa.

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

You can pick up a gyro and go.

Once again, organizers of the Dayton Greek Festival will allow customers to pre-order and pick up food from the front of the festival during lunchtime on Friday, Sept. 6.

>> RELATED: The mass quantities of authentic food served at the Dayton Greek Festival is just one reason to go

Debra Pulos, public relations coordinator for the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church fundraiser, said the effort has been a big hit. The drive-through concept took on even greater meaning last year, when severe weather forced festival organizers to adopt a "drive-through" festival concept for much of the weekend.

The 61st annual festival opens at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6,  at the church at 500 Belmonte Park N., Dayton.

WHAT YOU CAN GET

The drive-up option includes pastitsio, moussaka, Greek pizza, tsoureki, dolmades, gyro sandwiches and so many delicious desserts.

>> RELATED: It’s one of the biggest festival weekends of the year. Here’s how to squeeze them all in

Save for lamb shanks, Pulos said most items sold at the festival will be sold as part of the Friday pre-order, lunch carry-out service.

The menu items and pickup times (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) can be selected via the Dayton Greek Festival website. Click here to place order using a credit card. Orders must be paid for in advance online.

Prices range from $8 for a gyro, pastitsio and moussaka to  $15 for a large pastry variety box. View the full menu here.

>> RELATED: Tour the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

The full menu will be available inside the festival. Prices inside the festival are slightly less than for the carryout menu.

Carryout orders must be placed by 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6.

When placing your order, you will choose a pickup time. A designated pull off lane will be marked in the front of the church. A table will be marked “Carry Out Pick-up.”

The 60th annual Greek Festival took place over the weekend from Friday, Sept 7 to Sunday, Sept 9 at The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 500 Belmonte Park North in Dayton. This year's event had amazing food, devoted volunteers and the support and attendance of the community, despite it raining throughout the weekend. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

WANT TO GO?

What: Dayton Greek Festival Friday lunch to go

Where: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 500 Belmonte Park N., Dayton

When: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7. You will choose your specific pickup time when you place your order online.

Cost: No festival admission fee during lunch. Orders must be placed in advance and can be ordered online only and paid for with a credit card. Place your advance order here by 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6.

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