2 days ago
Simply Slavic Festival set to kick off in Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)- The Simply Slavic Festival returns to the Valley this weekend.
The event kicks off Friday night and runs through Saturday. The festivities begin at 5 p.m.
It's meant to celebrate the impact of the Slavic people and their descendants on the Valley.
Attendees can expect food, dancers, and performers this weekend. This is the 14th year for the event. Organizers say they're expecting a great turnout this weekend.
Some of the Slavic foods that will be offered include pierogies, stuffed cabbage and the popular chimney cake. Dancers and bands will be performing on both nights of the festival. Organizers say this is a great event to have because it helps others learn about the culture.
'One of the reasons is to recognize and make sure the third, fourth, fifth generation Slavs here in the Mahoning Valley learn about their culture, learn where their great grandparents came from and the culture that they brought with them,' said Aundrea Heschmeyer, the co-founder of Simply Slavic.
In 2024, the event was held at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater. After a successful 2024 event at the venue, Simply Slavic has a five-year agreement with JAC Management Group. This makes it the first nonprofit event to secure a long-term contract, and ensures Simply Slavic will continue to grow while remaining rooted in Youngstown. Organizers say it's a stress relief knowing exactly where the event will be.
'We would wait for the city to decide, 'OK, we have to move you back a block. We have to move you a block to the right.' It affects the whole layout of the event. So, for us to know since January that the festival was going to be at the Amphitheater and we're going to put the heritage tent here and we're going to put these booths here makes a huge difference,' Heschmeyer said.
Heschmeyer says that her favorite part about putting on the festival is seeing everyone excited. This is an event that has brought people from all around the country. She says many families will come in from out of town just to attend the festival.
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