PEABODY-Put down the American fast food and pick up souvlaki, the Greek equivalent, this weekend at the 31st annual St. Vasilios Greek Festival. The event kicks off Friday night at St. Vasilios Church, 5 Paleologos St., at 5 p.m. and the lamb shanks and spinach pies are ready and waiting to be served.This year?s event expects to feed the hungry mouths of nearly 4,000 people, said Parish President Speros Venios. And volunteers are more than prepared to do so.With over 600 pounds of chicken and pork souvlaki, or “little skewers,” and about 80 legs of lamb prepared in a tomato sauce, attendees are sure to be more than satisfied. If that just doesn?t cut it, there will also be an abundance of mousakka, Greek lasagna with potatoes and eggplant in a cream sauce. However, if you?re looking to get your hands on an authentic Greek gyro, you better know how to ask for one.?We won?t serve it to you unless you call it a ?yee-row,?” Venios joked, noting how most Americans pronounce the traditional food incorrectly with a hard “G.”Fear not sweet-toothers, there will be plenty of Greek pastries to choose from including kourambiedes (small almond cookies), finikia (honey-walnut cookies), and the fan favorite, loukoumades, which are deep fried balls of dough covered in honey and walnuts. Think Munchkins kicked up a few notches.?It?s a low calorie treat,” Venios quipped, adding how the loukoumades are rather special at the festival since the church only makes them a few times a year.?They?re very time consuming to make,” said Venios. “And you can?t make them a few days in advance (like the other pastries). They have to be (fried) on the spot.” Volunteers will be serving up fresh, hot loukoumades all weekend long.When you just can?t eat anymore, sit down and digest a bit while enjoying live entertainment. On Friday and Saturday night, Peabody?s Mousiko Xefantoma will perform Greek music and dance, and DJ Christo will spin Greek hits throughout the weekend.With the growing popularity of the Greek folk dance performances, Festival Chairman Paul Makridis decided to “spread it out over two days,” something new this year.Saturday night at 7 p.m., the Boston dance group Panagia Soumela will perform. On Sunday at 2 p.m., Peabody?s Hellenic Pride Dancers will showcase Greek ethnic dances.Vendors will sell their own Greek creations, as well as Greek imports, at 11 different boutiques in the lower level of the Church. Venios said event goers can find a wide variety of items from traditional fisherman?s hats and expensive jewelry, to worry beads and clothing.The Greek community in Peabody is one of the largest in New England, said Venios. Members include nearly 1,600 families.The St. Vasilios Greek Festival originally began in the mid-1950s and was called The Greek Bazaar. It took place at the Northshore Mall when it was an outdoor shopping center. In 1976, after the church was renovated and the kitchen completed, members decided to hold the festival there instead. Such has been the case ever since.The festival runs on Friday, Oct. 19, from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Saturday, Oct. 20, from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.; and Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free, but make sure to bring some extra cash for food and shopping.