Simply Slavic festival expands kids’ area

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Simply Slavic, the downtown festival that celebrates the area’s Slavic community, will return Saturday with familiar features and an expanded children’s area.

It will take place on East Federal Street from noon to midnight.

The festival began in 2011 to educate the region’s large number of Slavic descendants and others about Slavic heritage. This year, the festival committee focused on educating the youngest attendees.

“We know that sharing the stories of our Slavic history and heritage with the next generation is critical to keeping the culture of our ancestors alive,” said Sara Wenger, education chairwoman for Simply Slavic.

Seven years ago, a small group of passionate members from some of the local Slavic communities gathered to plan a one-day party where all could gather in peace and learn about each other’s cultures.

“As the festival has grown, we have been able to really customize our approach so that we can reach each attendee – even the tiniest festivalgoers – at their level of interest,” said Wenger.

This year, with the support of Wasko Family Funeral Homes, Simply Slavic has become more than a one-day event; it’s more like a movement.

By getting to know each other while working on the festival, Slavic community leaders have discovered various ways in which they can collaborate to educate about Slavic cultures.

This has resulted in an ability to support special projects together throughout the rest of the year. The group also provides at least one scholarship each year to deserving Youngstown State University students.

New at the festival this year is an expanded children’s area. There will be a Build Your Own Village, interactive falling Tetris game, “Baba Yaga’s Surprise” wheel and a chance to “Fish the Danube.”

An expanded scavenger hunt will put young festivalgoers on a mission to get stamps and answers to a variety of history, culture and trivia questions.

The ecumenical blessing and flags display also have been expanded.

The similarities of the Slavic languages will be heard through song and the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer by costumed volunteers.

The festival committee has purchased flags for each of the Slavic nations and will open the event with a costumed parade. The 13 national and one regional flag will create a colorful and educational display throughout the whole event.

Simply Slavic also will include an ethnic heritage tent, with live folk art demonstrations, including wood-working artist Dennis DeSantis, who will decorate Easter eggs in the traditional styles.

Other features will include a Tell Your Slavic Story booth between 2-3 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. The goal is to give people a chance to share a memory of their culture.

There also will be Slavic food, vendors, a baking contest and live music and dance, with the renowned Harmonia folk band in the evening.

The festival will end, as always, with a ceremonial Vatra, a traditional Slavic bonfire, after dark with live music.