SIMPLY SLAVIC, the festival created specifically to celebrate Youngstown's Slavic community on Federal Plaza East in Downtown Youngstown. The event will include live music, folk dance performances, homemade food, children's learning areas, educational exhibits, and ethnic vendors. A full weekend of entertainment and education is planned.

The Simply Slavic Heritage Festival showcases the rich traditions of the Slavic ethnicities present in the Mahoning Valley.

The modern-day European nations representing the origins of our region's Slavic ancestors are Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine. In addition, we also have many descendants of Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants present in our area, who are represented at the festival. Individually, each group’s numbers may not seem large, but together, they represent a powerful presence.

By enhancing the community's knowledge of these lively peoples through a joyful, family-friendly experience, we hope to honor the shared past of our beloved ancestors by educating and enriching the lives of a future generation.

Please explore our site to see photos, maps and information regarding not only the festival but also general information which may begin your journey learning more about your ancestry and the beautiful places in Europe from which your Slavic ancestors originated. We also work year-round to provide information regarding local and regional Slavic ethnic performances, picnics and festivals on our Simply Slavic Facebook page.

Schedule:

FRIDAY - JUNE 16, 2023

5:00pm: GATES OPEN

5:00pm - 5:45pm: Od Srca Tamburitzans (Youngstown, OH)

6:00pm - 6:30pm: Opening Ceremonies  and Tapping of the Modern Methods Rodina Beer Firkin, Presented by a Parade of the Slavic Nations

6:30pm - 7:00pm: Tatra Mountain Cultural Foundation Dancers (Chicago, IL)

7:00pm - 8:00pm: Orkestar Zabava (Pittsburgh, PA)

8:00pm - 9:00pm: The Chardon Polka Band (Chardon, OH)

9:00pm - 10:00pm: Orkestar Zabava (Pittsburgh, PA)

10:00pm - 11:00pm: The Chardon Polka Band (Chardon, OH)

SATURDAY - JUNE 17, 2023

Master of Ceremonies: Larry Walk

12:15pm -1:00pm: Opening Ceremonies - Presentation of Slavic Flags with Commentary, Blessing of Food Vendors, and Honorary Grand Marshall Rev Joseph Rudjak Tribute

1:00pm - 1:30pm: Happy Hearts Junior Tamburitzans (Youngstown, OH)

1:30pm - 2:15pm: Sokyra (Pittsburgh, PA)

2:15pm - 3:00pm: Living Traditions Folk Ensemble (Cleveland, OH)

3:00pm - 3:45pm: T.O. Nocne Sove (Youngstown, OH)

3:45pm - 4:15pm: Selo Croatian Ensemble (Columbus, OH)

4:15pm - 5:00pm: The ZAPS (Youngstown, OH)

5:00pm - 5:30pm: Kashtan (Cleveland, OH)

5:30pm - 6:00pm: Tatra Mountain Cultural Foundation Dancers (Chicago, IL)

6:00pm - 7:00pm: Harmonia (Cleveland, OH)

7:00pm - 8:00pm: Del Sinchak Orchestra (Youngstown, OH)

8:00pm - 9:00pm: Harmonia (Cleveland, OH)

9:00pm -10:00pm: Del Sinchak Orchestra (Youngstown, OH)

10:00pm-12:00am: Vatra Lighting Ceremony followed by acoustic accordion/concertina/violin music provided by Harmonia. Dancing around the Vatra Fire throughout.

Date: Friday, June 16th, 2023,  Saturday, June 17th

Time: 5pm to 11pm, Noon to Midnight

Location: Federal Plaza East in Downtown Youngstown

Cost: Admission is $5.00. Children 12 years old and younger will be admitted free of charge both days.

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