Ancestor of piano takes center stage at Hungarian festival in Youngstown

Ancestor of piano takes center stage at Hungarian festival in Youngstown

By SEAN BARRON

news@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

What began about 10 years ago as a hobby for Andrew Check II has become something of a tribute to his late grandfather.

On that note, he continues to play the cimbalom.

“It’s the great-grandfather to the piano,” said Check, of Chesterland, Ohio, referring to the musical instrument he played as part of the entertainment for today’s 85th annual Hungarian Day festival, themed “Magyar Nap” (Hungarian Day). Sponsoring the gathering was the Youngstown American Hungarian Federation of Churches and Society.

Plenty of people gathered during the five-hour event at the Youngstown American Hungarian Club, 2219 Donald Ave. on the West Side, to enjoy one another’s company and to absorb music from The Hungarians, a Cleveland-based band, as well as to take in plenty of dancing by local youngsters.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.