Full Schedule
4:45 PM
Gates Open
5:00 PM - 5:45 PM
Youngstown, OH
5:45 PM - 6:15 PM
Opening Ceremonies
Tapping of the Modern Methods Brewing Company’s Rodina Beer Firkin, Presented by a Parade of the Slavic Nations
6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Steubenville, OH
7:00 PM - 8:45 PM
Pittsburgh, PA
9:15 PM - 11:00 PM
Youngstown, OH
12:15 PM - 1:00 PM
Farrell, PA
1:00 PM - 1:40 PM
Opening Ceremonies
Presentation of Slavic Flags with Commentary, Blessing of Food Vendors, and Honorary Grand Marshall Larry Walk Tribute
1:40 PM - 2:25 PM
Cleveland, OH
2:35 PM - 3:20 PM
Radost
Pittsburgh, PA
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Columbus, OH
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Youngstown, OH
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cleveland, OH
8:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Chardon, OH
10:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Vatra Lighting Ceremony
Followed by acoustic accordion/concertina/violin music provided by various artists. Dancing around the Vatra Fire throughout.
Strolling Musicians in the Upper Bowl
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Youngstown, OH
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
From The Chardon Polka Band
Chardon, OH
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Pittsburgh, PA
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Pittsburgh, PA
10:30 AM
Gates Open
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Catholic Mass
Rev Joseph Rudjak
With live music by Rex Taneri and Luke Politsky
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Welcome Ceremony
Ecumenical Prayer – Baking Contest Winners Announcement
1:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Mascot Day Showcase
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Cleveland, OH
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
St. Michael's Serbian Folklore Society Gracanica
Cleveland, OH
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
McKeesport, PA
Vendors and Participants
Food Vendors
Krakus Polish Deli & Bakery
Hornyak’s Milkshakes
Babcia’s Lunchbox
Crago Concessions
One Hot Cookie
The Pierogi Lady
Rimedio’s Bakery
Steel City Chimneys
The Chimney Stack
Sabi’s
J&J Concessions
Roasteria
Balkan Bakery & Café
St. George Croatian Home
Jak’s Bakery
Marketplace Vendors
SNPJ Slovenian Heritage Center
Peppermint Records
Little Europe
The Polish Arts Club of Youngstown
Cataract Press
Kasia’s Polish Pottery
FCSU Financial
BROM
Carol Novosel
Cute as a Dumpling
Doughlicious Bakery
Kolache Galore and More
Baba Tillie’s
Amber Treasures
Hands-on Activities
Vendor 1
Vendor 2
Vendor 3
Community Partners
Vendor 1
Vendor 2
Vendor 3
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the festival in Downtown Youngstown?
The festival is completely within the footprint of The Youngstown Foundation Ampitheatre in Wean Park. The address of the main and only entry gate is 201 S. Phelps Street, 44503.
Where can I park? How much will parking cost?
We encourage visitors to park their vehicles at the parking lots next to the Covelli Centre, entry from the intersection of S. Walnut Street and E. Front Street. From there it is a short walk on flat pavement (no steps) to the festival. Covelli Centre parking is owned by the City of Youngstown, and is free if there is no other event at the Centre. There are additional private and city-owned lots just north of the festival, with entry from Front Street. For the last few years, there has been no charge for these private lots during the festival weekend, but that may change by individual parking lot owners. Street parking throughout the entirety of Downtown Youngstown is also free on the weekends.
Is there handicapped parking?
The private lots directly north of the festival have marked handicapped spaces, which are a proportion of total spaces. There is not an entire specific lot that is exclusively for handicapped parking. There is a drop off spot with benches close to the festival entry gates.
How much does it cost to attend?
Admission is $5.00 at the entry gate. 12 years of age and under get in for free.
Where can I find a schedule and information about the performers?
The day-by-day schedule of the weekend’s performers can be found here.
Does the festival accept credit cards?
The festival organizing committee manages the entry gate, bars, and Simply Slavic merchandise table. All of these locations accept credit cards. The food vendors and marketplace vendors are individuals or organizations, and the acceptance of credit cards is wholly at their discretion. However almost all points of sale have accepted credit and debit cards in the past.
Is there an ATM on site, or broadly, in Downtown Youngstown?
There are multiple ATMs in the Downtown area, including WesBanco, FNB, Chase, Huntington, and PNC.
What can I bring into the festival?
Here is a list of accepted and regulated items, per the policies of The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre:
- YES umbrellas are permitted
- YES bags are permitted, but will be searched the hired security service
- NO outside food or beverages
- NO weapons, including pocket knives
- NO folding chairs, however free individual lawn chairs are provided on site
- NO pets, EXCEPT for service animals
Is there security at the festival?
Yes, our contract with The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre mandates for the festival to have security at the gates at all times, with personal bags subject to a security review.
Can I come and go from the festival during the day?
Yes, individuals wishing to leave the festival and return on the same day are rewelcomed, but you must receive a Simply Slavic hand stamp at the exit gate.
What is the bathroom situation at the festival?
The grounds have mens, womens, and family toilet facilities, all with running water, flush toilets, and changing stations.
How can I volunteer at the festival?
There are many volunteers needed to make our event a success. Positions range from stationary roles at tables to active roles within the festival grounds. All volunteers are invited to an annual banquet where our scholarships are awarded. Probably the best starting point is to contact our festival volunteer coordinator here.
Why do you charge admission to get into the festival?
Annual festival expenses are in excess of $100,000 due to equipment rentals, personnel costs, site rent, permits, electric & water hookups, and entertainment. Without charging an entry fee, Simply Slavic would come up short in paying our bills.
This festival must cost a lot of money to organize, do you accept donations?
Absolutely!
Donations are accepted before and after the festival. If donations arrive with enough time before the festival, a collection of benefits are provided to each sponsor. Even after the festival, social media acknowledgement is possible to Simply Slavic’s thousands of followers. Additionally, all donations are tax-deductible to our federally-recognized non-for-profit. More information can be found here.