This week will be a big one for Ohio Valley residents to celebrate two of the region’s bedrock cultures, as the Italian and Greek communities present their marquee events of the year.

The 2025 Grecian Fest will run from Wednesday through Friday at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Center Wheeling. From Friday through Sunday, Wheeling’s Heritage Port will be host to the 42nd annual Upper Ohio Valley Italian Heritage Festival.

Both festivals are community favorites, featuring food, music and live performances. And both festivals offer a window in the cultures of those respective communities.

At the Grecian Fest, guests are just able to eat Greek food, they’ll have the opportunity to learn how to cook Greek food during cooking classes held in the church. They’ll also have the opportunity to tour the church and listen to a Byzantine liturgical chant performed by the church’s youth and young adult choir.

The Italian Heritage Festival will offer lessons of its own, Sunday sessions on how to make gnocchi and limoncello. Throughout the weekend, its stages will feature Italian music and dance and, on Sunday, it will hold a Mass led by the Most Rev. Mark Brennan, Bishop of the Wheeling-Charleston Diocese.

Both events are always a wonderful time for fellowship and entertainment. They also give the Ohio Valley a chance to dive deeper into rich and important cultures within our community. Take some time this week at both to grab a good meal and learn a little more about your neighbors.