Lovers of all things Greek -- especially the food -- might be forced by hunger rather than the god of the underworld to visit the Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral this weekend for the celebrated Festival of Greece.

"It is a three-day explosion of culture, of fun, of festivities, lively music, great food and ambiance," Father Thomas Paris said. "It's going to take three days to eat through all the food."

Taste crispy baklava dripping with honey. Feast on lamb and souvlaki, gyros and calamari. Cooks have been preparing some of the weekend's food for months.

This is the 32nd year the festival has been held at the church, and festival organizers have tied its theme to the 2004 Summer Olympic games in Athens, Greece.

Former Olympic competitors, including Oakland's Marylin King, a pentathalon competitor in 1972 and 1976, and Barbara Higgins, a fencing competitor in 1984, will visit throughout the weekend. The country's oldest Olympic athlete, 94-year-old Greek American pole vaulter Peter Clentzos of Los Angeles, and youngest athlete, 8-year-old gymnast Sofia Bouzos of Walnut Creek, are set to attend the event.

A member of the Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral recently returned from carrying the Olympic flame through his home village in Greece and will reenact the run in his official Olympic clothing.

"It is just an opportunity that has been a long time coming," festival organizer Mike Heath said about the Olympic theme.

The Olympic Games were born in Greece 2,500 years ago, and the modern Olympic Games were revived in Athens in 1896. That was the last year the games were held in Greece although the Olympic flame was first lit in Olympia in 1936.

"It is a great thing to have Greece finally host the Olympics again," Heath said.

Professor Stephen Miller of the University of California, Berkeley Classics Department will lecture on the Ancient Olympic Games while students from the church's Greek School will offer background on ancient Greek history.

The festival will be held from 10 am to 11 pm Friday and Saturday and from 10 am to 9 pm Sunday.

Admission is $5 for adults, but free from 10 am to 4 pm Friday. Visitors who park at Woodminster Amphitheater, 3300 Joaquin Miller Road, and take the free shuttle to the festival will receive one free admission all weekend.

Ascension Greek Orthodox Cathedral is at 4700 Lincoln Ave. Call 531-3400 for information.

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