The Sactown Weekend Update for Aug. 31 through Sept. 2

It’s summer’s last hurrah—here are our top three ways to have some fun this holiday weekend, from the 50th anniversary of a downtown Greek festival to a chalk art festival in Fremont Park and a Wild West affair in Old Sacramento.  

Sacramento Greek Festival (Saturday & Sunday)
One of the highlights of this 50th annual cultural festival is the new farm-to-fork food court, with many of the offerings using ingredients from local producers like lamb from Dixon. Look for dozens of traditional Greek foods like dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), tiropita (cheese filled puff pastries), spanakopita (spinach pie) and galaktoboureko (custard cake). Don’t know a xinomavro from a lagorthi? Learn about the history and mythology of Greek winemaking at a class taught by wine expert Rick Kushman. Other highlights include Greek folk dancing lessons and cooking demonstrations led by chefs from local Greek restaurants. $5 (free for kids under 13). Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. Sunday from noon to 10 p.m. Sacramento Convention Center. 1400 J St. sacramentogreekfestival.com

Chalk it Up (Saturday-Monday)
This three-day fundraiser celebrates street art—literally—as the sidewalks in and around Fremont Park transform into canvases for chalk drawers to raise money for local arts programs and youth organizations. Attractions above ground will include a pottery wheel, an Access Sacramento booth where youngsters can pretend to broadcast the news, music from local bands like ZuhG, as well as a beer and sangria garden and food trucks like Drewski’s Hot Rod Kitchen. Free. Saturday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fremont Park. 16th & Q streets. 583-8248. chalkitup.org

Gold Rush Days (Saturday-Monday)
Old Sacramento transforms into the wild, wild West during this annual Labor Day weekend event, during which the historic district’s streets are covered with 200 tons of dirt and filled with costumed cowboys on horse-back and dozens of other characters. Young’uns can watch the Pony Express relays, listen to live music performed by musicians in period attire and try out old-fashioned activities like gold panning. Free. Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Old Sacramento. 808-7777. sacramentogoldrushdays.com