Of all the cultural festivals in Ventura...

Of all the cultural festivals in Ventura County, the annual Greek Festival at the Camarillo Airport is difficult to beat for popularity.

This year, about 20,000 are expected to attend the event, which runs Friday through Sunday.

Why such a big crowd? It could be the dancing, it could be the music. Or it could very well be the authentic food, homemade by members of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, the festival sponsor.

This year’s festival will offer full dinners for $8: either lamb souvlak i skewers or Greek-style chicken, both served with rice pilaf and a Greek salad.

For those who prefer a la carte , the menu will include tiropita (cheese-filled puff pastry), spanikopita (spinach and cheese puff pastry), saganaki (flaming cheese doused with brandy), Greek meatballs and Greek-style, deep-fried calamari. Most of the dishes will go for $3. And there’s always the popular gyro pita sandwich for $4. Whichever route you take, you may want to save room for the wide selection of pastries.

Festival hours: 6 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $2 general, free for children under 12.

Jerry Dabour, co-owner of The Greek at the Harbor, will lead a group of restaurant employees in dance exhibitions Saturday and Sunday about 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.

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Chefs Gael Lecoley of Ojai’s Wheeler Hot Springs and Francois Milliet of the Tower Club in Oxnard will extend their culinary talents outside the county at Santa Barbara Wine Auction Weekend, May 19-21.

This benefit for the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will include several multi-course “Patron Dinners.” Lecoley and Milliet will take part in the May 19 feast at the Four Seasons Biltmore Hotel in Montecito, sharing kitchen duties with Biltmore Chef Eric Brennan. Maison Deutz and Meridian wines will be served. Cost is $125 per person. For reservations, call 682-4711, Ext. 340.

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Ventura’s Doubletree Hotel is offering a discount package that includes savings at its in-house restaurant and bars through Dec. 30.

For $79, “Director’s Club” members receive 25% off all meals, except for Sunday brunches, at the Gallery Restaurant; two free Sunday brunches with the purchase of one brunch; a 10% discount (maximum of $100) on banquet food; and 20% off at C.J. Nelson’s Sports Bar and the lobby bar. The promotion also includes discounts on overnight stays.

The Doubletree is at 2055 Harbor Blvd. Call 643-6000.