Simply Slavic is expanding for its second edition.
The day-long celebration of the European cultures that make up the Mahoning Valley's Slavic community will span two blocks on East Federal Plaza in downtown Youngstown. The inaugural event attracted nearly 4,000 people, according to event chairman Ken Shirilla.
The modern-day European nations representing the origins of Slavic ancestry are Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine.
Numerous local parishes and organizations are participating in the event, including Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Polish Youngstown, the American Slovak Cultural Association of Mahoning Valley and the Carpatho-Rusyn Heritage Society.
This year's attractions include:
An ecumenical blessing and parade of flags with representatives from a variety of faiths and parishes.
Fact Box
When
You?Go
WHAT: Simply Slavic
WHEN: Noon to
midnight Saturday
WHERE: Federal Plaza East, downtown Youngstown
HOW MUCH: $3. For more information, call 330-503-9874.
Schedule
Noon Opening ceremonies, ecumenical blessing and parade of flags
12:30 p.m. Happy Hearts Tamburitzans
1:15 p.m. Nocne Sove Tamburitzans
2:15 p.m. Youngstown Ukrainian Dancers
3 p.m. Jamie Maric
3:30 p.m. St Nicholas Russian Youth Dancers
4:15 p.m. Harmonia Folk Ensemble
5 p.m. Krakowiaki Polish Folk Circle
5:30 p.m. Del Sinchak Orchestra
6:30 p.m. Living Traditions Folk Ensemble
7:15 p.m. Del Sinchak
8 p.m. Miss Czech-Slovak USA
8:15 p.m. Del Sinchak
9 p.m. Harmonia
A Slavic kitchen featuring booths of homemade foods from more than a half dozen area churches, businesses and ethnic groups.
An ethnic heritage tent where each of the Slavic groups from around the region will create exhibits to educate visitors on the culture of their region through items like maps, flags, pictures, language lessons and information on famous immigrants from that country.
A marketplace of vendors selling imported dolls, eggs, linens and apparel reflecting the varied nations of the festival.
A baking contest where amateurs can submit their favorite traditional items to be judged by area Slavic celebrities.
The Wasko Stage featuring music and entertainment throughout the day, including four of the region's most colorful folk dance troupes, the Del Sinchak polka band and the renowned Harmonia folk ensemble.