It was a celebration of Ukrainian arts and culture at the Annual Ukrainian Festival held Saturday and Sunday at the Ukrainian Homestead on Beaver Run Drive in Lehighton.
The festival has been held at the homestead almost since the homestead was founded in 1957.
“This is one of the most anticipated events of the entire summer,” exclaimed Rachael Iola Taras, who makes and sells her own ice cream at the festival. “You have access to live entertainment, music, dancing, vendors, the most delicious homemade food, of course homemade ice cream, sweets, we have a basket raffle, something for everyone; even a beer garden.”
The festival draws people from near and far with its delicious foods such as pirohi, halupki, potato pancakes, borsht, kielbasa and sauerkraut, and Edward’s Barbecue. Plenty of drinks and the popular beer garden kept visitors hydrated, and there were vendors selling baked goods and homemade ice cream to satisfy the sweet tooth.
There were craft vendors selling shirts, hats, jackets, flags (American, Ukrainian, and others), honey, jewelry and more, and a basket auction.
Sunday morning was Divine Liturgy at St. Andrew’s Chapel, at the homestead.
Of course, the big highlight of both days of the festival is the music and dance show that takes place on the outdoor stage, or indoors if it rains.
The lead choreographer for the Homestead and the festival is Roman Mykita, who lives in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, but still makes the trip ever year to Lehighton. Mykita is also a dance instructor at the Ukrainian American Heritage Foundation and a ballet teacher at the Carroll County Dance Center and Ballet Conservatory in Maryland.
“We’re looking forward to a great stage show,” Mykita said. “We are again paying tribute to Ukrainian artist who was very pivotal in bringing Ukrainian dance to North America, specifically here to the homestead back in the first half of the 20th century. We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him. His name is Vasil Avramenko. We are paying homage to his artistic legacy both as a dance teacher, as a choreographer in his own right, as well as a film maker.”
Mykita composed and choreographed eight of the dance numbers for the show, which featured dances and costumes from all the various regions of Ukraine.
There was also an homage to the novel and the 1962 movie “Taras Bulba,” one of the few movies based on the Ukraine, which featured Yul Brynner and Tony Curtis.
Dance routines were performed by the Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble, Schuylkill County.
This year, the crowd was entertained with live music from the Canadian band “Zirka,” George Hrab, and the 81 Crew Polka Band. Walt Syzonenko entertained the crowds between performances with his accordion.
“I’ve been coming here my entire life,” Taras said. “I have lots of good memories coming here with my father, he was of Ukrainian ancestry.”
Funds raised at the festival are used for the upkeep of the homestead, and some of the funds go to help people in Ukraine.
Festival sponsors include Perch at Jim Thorpe, Creative Arts Fund at the Carbon County Community Foundation, Ukrainian Selfreliance Federal Credit Union.
Stefko Gramiak, left, and Isaac Miller, show their dance steps during the Ukrainian Festival in Lehighton.
Andrianna Kedulych peforms one of the dances at the Ukrainian Festival in Lehighton.
John Hucal from the band Zirka plays a trembita, a traditional Ukrainian wind instrument, found mostly in the Carpathian region, especially among the Hutsul people.
Eugenia Bodolak, of Lehighton, stands next to the very tempting baked goods she was selling at the Ukrainain Festival.
The live dance program at the Ukrainian Festival featured dances from the many regions of Ukraine, performed by the Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble, Schuylkill County. See tnonline.com for a photo gallery. JAMES LOGUE JR./SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS