The 37th annual Cardiff Greek Festival starts Saturday and will help raise funds for the construction of The St. Nicholas Shrine at the World Trade Center in New York.
Organizers plan to donate 10 percent of the proceeds toward its construction which replaces a small Greek Orthodox Church, the only house of worship destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001.
Established in 1916, the church was obliterated when the South Tower fell. The Saint Nicholas National Shrine will be rebuilt a short distance away from its original location and will overlook the 9/11 Memorial.
"This year, we are blessed to not only share our culture with the San Diego community, but also extend our support to provide a place of worship and peaceful reflection at the site of the horrific tragedy," said the Rev. Father Michael Sitaras of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, which hosts the festival.
The festivities will feature Hellenic food, music and dance from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, at 3459 Manchester Ave.
Free parking is available at nearby MiraCosta College.
Admission is $3. Children under 12 are free.
