Latest news with #SimplySlavic
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Simply Slavic Festival set to kick off in Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)- The Simply Slavic Festival returns to the Valley this weekend. The event kicks off Friday night and runs through Saturday. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. It's meant to celebrate the impact of the Slavic people and their descendants on the Valley. Attendees can expect food, dancers, and performers this weekend. This is the 14th year for the event. Organizers say they're expecting a great turnout this weekend. Some of the Slavic foods that will be offered include pierogies, stuffed cabbage and the popular chimney cake. Dancers and bands will be performing on both nights of the festival. Organizers say this is a great event to have because it helps others learn about the culture. 'One of the reasons is to recognize and make sure the third, fourth, fifth generation Slavs here in the Mahoning Valley learn about their culture, learn where their great grandparents came from and the culture that they brought with them,' said Aundrea Heschmeyer, the co-founder of Simply Slavic. In 2024, the event was held at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater. After a successful 2024 event at the venue, Simply Slavic has a five-year agreement with JAC Management Group. This makes it the first nonprofit event to secure a long-term contract, and ensures Simply Slavic will continue to grow while remaining rooted in Youngstown. Organizers say it's a stress relief knowing exactly where the event will be. 'We would wait for the city to decide, 'OK, we have to move you back a block. We have to move you a block to the right.' It affects the whole layout of the event. So, for us to know since January that the festival was going to be at the Amphitheater and we're going to put the heritage tent here and we're going to put these booths here makes a huge difference,' Heschmeyer said. Heschmeyer says that her favorite part about putting on the festival is seeing everyone excited. This is an event that has brought people from all around the country. She says many families will come in from out of town just to attend the festival. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bakers needed for Simply Slavic baking contest
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Those who have their own cultural recipes have the chance to win the baker's hat in the upcoming Simply Slavic baking contest. The contest is for nonprofessional bakers to showcase their best baked goods. Wednesday is the last day to sign up for the baking contest, and entries must be submitted this Saturday for the judging, which is done in advance of the festival. The contest accepts a wide range of items. 'There is no specific categories. So the category is Eastern European foods, so baked goods, so anything from the Croatians, the Poles, the Russians, the Ukrainians, anybody can bring some grandma's secret recipes that they're holding on to, and just bring it and share it with us,' said organizer Marta Mazur. You only need to bake two items — one for Saturday's judging and one to be sold at the Simply Slavik festival, which is June 13 and 14. Winners will be recognized at the festival. To sign up, call Marta Mazur at 330-261-4263 or email bakingcontest@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Simply Slavic festival secures long-term home
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Simply Slavic has announced a five-year commitment to hosting its annual festival at the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre. Organizers announced the agreement Wednesday, making Simply Slavic the first nonprofit event to sign a long-term contract with JAC Management Group for the venue's use. After the explosion at the Realty Building last year, organizers had to relocate from the festival's usual spot downtown. JAC reached out to them and offered use of the amphitheater, which drew more than 5,000 attendees despite the last-minute changes and challenges. 'This partnership marks a major milestone for Simply Slavic,' said John Slanina, President of the Simply Slavic Board of Directors. 'We are thrilled to continue growing in a space that offers a premier festival experience for our guests while remaining rooted in downtown Youngstown, where our city's Slavic communities have long flourished.' Organizers say although the venue has changed, Simply Slavic will continue to feature everything that makes it an annual highlight. The 2025 festival dates are Friday, June 13 from 5-11 p.m. and Saturday, June 14 from noon to midnight. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for this year's festival, which help to fund festival programming, scholarships and cultural preservation projects. Those interested in sponsorship opportunities can visit or contact info@ for more details. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
