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Simply Slavic expands for its 8th annual event

Simply Slavic takes a first step toward expanding its festival to a second day in downtown Youngstown.

In addition to its full slate of events on Saturday on East Federal Street, organizers have added a Slavic Style Party on the Plaza for Friday featuring music by the Chardon Polka Band, local food trucks and a custom beer prepared by Modern Methods Brewing of Warren.

Aundrea Cika Heschmeyer said they’ve been approached by the city about expanding the festival because it draws visitors from outside of the Mahoning Valley who stay in area hotels and spend their money in the community. Organizers have hesitated because the event is put together by a small group of primarily older volunteers and they didn’t want to overextend themselves.

“This is a baby step for us getting to that idea of two days,” Heschmeyer said.

The Chardon Polka Band takes a nontraditional approach to polka — the band has polka-fied songs like Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” and penned originals with titles like “You Can’t Drink Beer in Outer Space” — which should have a broad appeal, and festivities will start with the tapping of a special amber lager made with imported Czech hops and Czech lager yeast.

“The beer is something we’ve toyed with for awhile, and (Modern Methods owner) Adam Keck is a let’s-make-it-happen kind of guy,” she said. “He’s the kind of guy, when you say, ‘Wouldn’t it be fun if we did this?,’ and the next thing you know, you’re getting an emailing detailing this is how this can work.”

The festival on Saturday will celebrate the Slavic cultures of the different countries whose immigrants have settled in the Mahoning Valley with a mix of live music, folk dance, ethnic foods, educational exhibits and specialty vendors.

The entertainment lineup includes Jack Vasko and Company, The Zaps, Lucina Slovak Folklore Ensemble, Lajkoniki Polish Folk Ensemble, Happy Hearts Junior Tamburitzans, Del Sinchak Orchestra and the Harmonia Folk Ensemble.

The festivities will close with a Vatra, a bonfire and jam session on East Federal Street.

Heschmeyer said she believes one explanation for the festival’s popularity is the fact that it celebrates all Slavic cultures and doesn’t focus on any one country.

“The only other festival like this one is outside of Kansas City, with all the Slavs working together,” she said. “That level of cooperation just doesn’t exist (elsewhere). Some of these countries were at odds, literally at war, in my lifetime. To get people working together to make it happen has been something to celebrate.”

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