TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Dozens of people flock to the family-favorite Tarpon Springs Seafood Festival as the community struggles to recover from Hurricane Helene.

Some businesses at Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs have come a long way after Hurricane Helene flooded restaurants, stores and people’s livelihoods.

“We were hit very hard,” said Nancy Williams, purchasing manager for four stores in Sponge Docks. “The water was this deep in some of our stores.”

ABC Action News spoke with Williams the day after Helene as they were picking up the pieces and figuring out how to rebuild.

We worked hard to get back to work.

“After seven weeks of hard work, we opened our last store two days ago,” Williams said.

Three days of hard work bore fruit in a short time. Tarpon Springs Seafood Festival he sets off.

“We pray that the festival will let everyone know that we are open,” Williams said. “We are open. Restaurants are open. The bakery opened a few days ago. Sponge Exchange stores opened. “Everyone is starting to reopen and we hope people will come back.”

The festival is filled with food, vendors, and many visitors like Doreen Strassle.

“Tarpon was probably one of the worst hits in the 19 years I’ve had it, but Tarpon, especially a lot of the Greek businesses, came right back. They’re definitely here to stay,” Strassle said.

Hellas Restaurant and Bakery, just down the street, is also starting to pick up.

General Manager and Head Chef of the establishment, Emmanuel Psomas, said that there was about one and a half meters of water inside after Helene.

“We had to replace all of our kitchen equipment because mostly everything was underwater,” Psomas said. “We saved most of the tables and chairs.”

They’re rebounding, though: Hellas Bakery is open, and Psomas said the restaurant will have a soft opening next Tuesday.

“The whole town has worked diligently to get to where we are, and we are Tarpon strong,” Psomas said.

The event will continue until 21.00 on Friday, from 10.00 to 21.00 on Saturday, and from 10.00 to 17.00 on Sunday.