We are inviting you to celebrate Slavic culture at the first ever Simply Slavic open-air festival to be held in Downtown Youngstown on Saturday, June 18th 2011. These modern-day nations in Europe represent the origins of our Slavic ancestors: Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine.

We plan to open the festival with an ecumenical service representing the major religions of our Slavic ancestors: Byzantine Catholic, Orthodox Christian and Roman Catholic. This will truly be a wonderful event in itself and will symbolize the brotherhood which all Slavs share.

The main part of the festival will run from 12:00 noon until approximately 8pm. During this time, food and crafts from the various ethnic booths and alcoholic beverages will be sold. There will also be educational exhibits so we can all learn more about our own ethnic group as well as those of our neighbors.

Music for dancing will be provided throughout the day by the Del Sinchak Band and the Mikey Dee Band. We will also be entertained by folk dancers during the band breaks. After 8pm, we will present what we are calling a “Slavic Disco” which will showcase the modern dance music of the Slavic countries in Europe via a DJ. This should appeal to the generation which does not follow the live folk and polka style music and others who may also enjoy modern eastern and central European Slavic-language dance music. This is for the young and the “young-at-heart”!

Please join us, plan to come early and stay late! Help us celebrate Slavic culture in the beautiful confines of Downtown Youngstown!