Simply Slavic, though soggy, is still a hit

June 20, 2015 at 8:32p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Under the tents at the Simply Slavic festival downtown Saturday, the rain didn’t matter.

It was dry and cozy. The music was festive. The smell of good food was everywhere, and if you were of Slovak, Serbian, Croatian, Polish or Rusyn descent, you could identify wafts of different aromas here and there: butter and onions simmering for pierogies, but a touch of cabbage in there meant haluski; and near the vending area for Sts Peter and Paul Ukranian Church, the unmistakable smell of stuffed cabbage rolls and kielbasa.

It was the smell of home when you were young.

Next to the church, also offering up stuffed cabbages as well as pierogies and kielbasa subs, was Krakus Polish Deli & Bakery of 7050 Market St. in Boardman.

Vincent Sylvester, a friend who was there helping out deli owner Marta Mazuk, said he didn’t think the rain was hurting turnout at all for the fifth annual festival, which has grown from one block to three on East Federal Street.

“People love to eat,” he said. “In Youngstown, they’ll come out for anything celebrating heritage.”

The vendors made sure there was plenty to choose from. Everybody offered a specialty.