SIMPLY SLAVIC, the festival created specifically to celebrate Youngstown’s Slavic community, will take place on Friday, June 14th, 2024 from 5pm to 11pm and Saturday, June 15th, 2024 from Noon to Midnight at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre in Downtown Youngstown. The event will include live music, folk dance performances, homemade food, children’s learning areas, educational exhibits, and ethnic vendors. A full weekend of entertainment and education is planned. Admission is $5.00. Children 12 years old and younger will be admitted free of charge both days. 

The Simply Slavic Heritage Festival showcases the rich traditions of the Slavic ethnicities present in the Mahoning Valley.

The modern-day European nations representing the origins of our region’s Slavic ancestors are Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine. In addition, we also have many descendants of Carpatho-Rusyn immigrants present in our area, who are represented at the festival. Individually, each group’s numbers may not seem large, but together, they represent a powerful presence.

By enhancing the community’s knowledge of these lively peoples through a joyful, family-friendly experience, we hope to honor the shared past of our beloved ancestors by educating and enriching the lives of a future generation.

Please explore our site to see photos, maps and information regarding not only the festival but also general information which may begin your journey learning more about your ancestry and the beautiful places in Europe from which your Slavic ancestors originated. We also work year-round to provide information regarding local and regional Slavic ethnic performances, picnics and festivals on our Simply Slavic Facebook page.