Polka fans to gather, party

Annual event draws bands and visitors from several states

Staff report

SNPJ, Pa.

The SNPJ Recreation Center in the tiny Borough of SNPJ, Lawrence County, will be transformed into a small city next weekend as the Slovene National Benefit Society hosts its 34th annual Slovenefest celebration.

The largest Slovenian cultural festival in North America will feature three days — Friday, Saturday and July 12 — of continuous music performed by more than 20 of the region’s top Slovenian-style polka bands and button box accordion clubs at five indoor-outdoor venues.

Musicians from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Canada will take to the stages for nonstop entertainment that will begin at noon each day.

Throughout the weekend, Slovenian-Americans from across the country will gather to enjoy polka music, dancing, food and fun.

The menu will include Slovenian sausage (klobase), barbecued lamb and pork, and other Slovenian foods, accompanied by Slovenian pivo (beer), imported wines, and other beverages.

The culture of Slovenia will also be on display with an exhibition of folk attire, crafts and household items in the SNPJ Slovenian Heritage Center museum.

Guests can also swim in the Olympic-sized pool, fish in the SNPJ Recreation Center lake, play miniature golf, ride the trackless train, use the playground equipment, and participate in organized activities.

A fireworks show will conclude Saturday’s schedule.

All activities are included with the price of admission.

The SNPJ Recreation Center is located one mile east of the Ohio-Pennsylvania border on Pa. Route 108, or seven miles west (on Pa. Route 108) of the Mount Jackson exit (exit 17) of Interstate 376.

Admission is $10 each day; a three-day pass is available for $25.

Children and teens age 16 and under are admitted free of charge.

Ample free parking is available, and free shuttle service is offered.

Contact the SNPJ Recreation Center at 724-336-5180 or 877-767-5732 for directions and additional information.

Go to slovenefest.com for more information, including a complete schedule of the weekend entertainment.