Svitlana Lymar
The Odesa Ukrainian Dance Ensemble will headline the Ukrainian Festival in Syracuse, N.Y.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Syracuse, N.Y., will hold its annual Ukrainian Festival on Friday and Saturday, July 24-25, on the grounds of the church.
Festivities begin on Friday at 4 p.m. and continue until 11 p.m.; on Saturday, festival hours are noon to 11 p.m. The Ukrainian Kitchen will feature home-made Ukrainian foods, including pyrohy, holubtsi, kapusta and kovbasa, and borsch. Home-made and imported tortes, pastries, cookies and fruit-filled breads will also be for sale.
Foods for both eat-in and take-out include hamburgers, hot dogs, soda and beer. Ukrainian beers will be a featured item.
Artisans will be selling Ukrainian arts and crafts, and demonstrations of the art of pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs) will be featured throughout Saturday afternoon.
Performances on both days by the phenomenal Odesa Ukrainian Dance Ensemble will be highlights of the entertainment. Singers, musicians and dance bands will provide music both days.
Divine liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. The beauty and mystery of the Eastern celebration of this traditional Catholic service is spiritually energizing for all who participate.
The Syracuse community invites all to experience the best of Ukrainian culture at a time when the world sees Ukraine struggling for its right to maintain independence and self-governance on the other side of the world.
There is no admission charge for the festival, and on-street parking is free. The church is located at 207 Tompkins St., Syracuse, NY 13204.
Questions may be addressed to Patricia Burak, at [email protected] or the rectory at 315-478-5109.