I remember the first time I saw the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." Toula Portokalos struggled to find a happy medium between her independence and cultural roots. Her family was loud, old-fashioned and always in each other's business.

I remember thinking how I wished my family had a deeper connection to our heritage; an excuse to get together more often; an excuse. But most importantly, an excuse to eat – no – feast. Whatever that family did, it revolved around food.

But luckily this weekend, Greek or not, Richmonders get to participate in all the fun that makes you want to scream "Ohpah!"

For its 32nd year running, Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral will host Richmond's Greek Festival for four days straight, complete with dancing, dolmades and a drive-thru.

"The festival was primarily brought about to introduce the community to our culture," said Irene Calos, festival committee member. "Not many people knew the Greek lifestyle and so the festival was put together to familiarize people with the ethnicity of culture as well as the religious aspect."

What began as a simple sit down dinner and bake sale has now turned into Richmond's most anticipated festival of the spring, at least according to our readers who voted in our online poll a few weeks back.

If you were in attendance at last year's festival, you will remember that the due to construction on the Cathedral's Hellenic Center, the festival was made drive-thru only.

"We wanted to give Richmond something just to tide them over, for the most part," Calos said.

But don't worry gods and goddesses, this year the festival is back to its complete celebratory self. While a drive-thru will still be offered for those festival-goers on the go, the new layout will offer tent seating, a performance stage and an "agora" (Greek for market) full of vendors offering a variety of jewelry, embroideries, art, crafts and much more.

However, the most important question to be answered is "What's on the menu?"

"We have four main, signature entrees, those being the chicken kebab, souvlaki – the pork tenderloin – the mousaka which is the eggplant and the pastichio which is pasta with beef and that's a big favorite," Calos said.

A variety of other Greek favorites will be available for purchase in their own a la carte stations, including spanakopita, tiropita, gyros, calamari and the sweetest of sweets – baklava.

"There are assorted packages for sale as well as the koulouraki, which are the coffee cookies," said Calos. "We also introduced a cookie about three years ago called an ergolavi – an almond paste cookie that is crescent shaped and to die for.

To keep you in the Greek spirit long after your taste buds have tired, the band Achilleas will provide the crowd with live music while the Byzanito Hellenic Dance Troupe presents a few of the traditional, yet unique, dances of the Greek culture.

While festival-goers will most definitely walk away with fuller tummies and lighter spirits, you also have the chance to walk away with a prize or two. Raffle tickets can be purchased at $2 per ticket or $10 for six and will be entered to win either $1,500 or two round-trip tickets to Greece.

Proceeds from the festival will not only benefit the Cathedral itself, but the Cathedral's adopted charities including Faison School for Autism, St. Joseph's Villa, Positive Vibe Café, Katie and Friends and Circle Center Adult Day Services.

• The 32nd annual Greek Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31, and from noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday June 1. Admission is free. On-street parking is available as well as at Seventh St. Christian Church. A festival guide, drive-thru order form and menu are available online at greekfestival.com. For more information, call (804) 358-5996.