The annual fest, which returns to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 11 through 13, features tours of the Byzantine-style church and children’s entertainment. Music will be provided by the Greek Tycoons. Did we mention the incredible Greek food?
Greek Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Cost: Free from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, and $2 the rest of the weekend. Admission is free for children younger than 12. Call 937-224-0601 or visit www.daytongreekfestival.com.
2. ITALIAN FALL FESTA
Like the Greek Festival, the Italian Fall Festa has offered Dayton area residents its own little taste of Europe each year for decades. The annual event, founded in 1978, returns to Bella Villa Hall, 2625 County Line Road, Kettering, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 11 through 13. Italian Fall Festa, which features food, entertainment and games, runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Cost: Free. The Meatball Madness 5K run begins at 10 a.m. Sunday. Call 937-258-3600 or visit www.italianfallfesta.com.
3. WYSO COMMUNITY CONCERT
Since 2009, the folks at WYSO-FM (91.3) have stepped outside of the Yellow Springs studios to share some music with its annual Community Concert. This year's event — at RiverScape MetroPark, 111 E. Monument St., Dayton, from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13 — features performances from Trey Stone & the Ringers, Todd the Fox and artists from Black Box Improv Theater. Food trucks PA's Pork and the Wicked 'Wich of Dayton will be vending on site. Yellow Springs Brewery will be premiering its Vox Populi pale ale created in partnership with WYSO. Cost: Free. Visit www.wyso.org.
4. CYCLOPS FEST
There are plenty of festivals in the area that celebrate music or visual arts but none of them are quite like Cyclops Fest. The fifth annual event, at John Bryan Center, 100 Dayton St., Yellow Springs, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, celebrates handmade items and DIY culture. Vendors include 7Thirty8 Apparel, J&D Jewelry Designs, Preble Clayworks and Barmaid Soap Company. In addition to DJ sets from Nicky Illiopolis, DJ Nordique, Skratchmatik and DJ Shane Creepingbear, Miamisburg-based newgrass band the Repeating Arms will perform live. Cost: Free. Visit www.cyclopsfest.com.
5. POPCORN FESTIVAL
If you love popcorn, then this is the festival for you! More than 200 booths featuring crafts, collectibles, food and plenty of popcorn-related treats will line the streets and sidewalks when the Beavercreek Popcorn Festival returns to Dayton-Xenia Road, between Fairfield and Meadow Bridge, Beavercreek on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12 and 13. The annual street fair runs from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. The 5K run begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Registration for the car show begins at 9 a.m. Sunday. Cost: Free. Call 937-602-CORN or visit www.beavercreekpopcornfestival.org.
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