Annual Festival Celebrates Golden Anniversary Of The Ukrainian Church
Annual Festival Celebrates Golden Anniversary Of The Ukrainian Church
By Andrew Gorosko
Several hundred people visited Dodgingtown Sunday to savor Eastern European culture at the 24th Annual Ukrainian Festival at Olga Paproskiâs farm on Hattertown Road.
The event commenced at 11 am with Father Stepan Yanovski of the Holy Protection of Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Bridgeport celebrating the Eastern Rite Divine Liturgy for those attending. A group of worshippers solemnly stood in a semicircle around an altar where Father Yanovski performed the service.
The church, which was founded by Ukrainian immigrants, is celebrating its 50th anniversary
Sundayâs event was the 24th annual Ukrainian Festival jointly sponsored by Ms Paproski and the church.
People attending were treated to a cross-section of Ukrainian culture, especially Ukrainian delicacies, such as borscht, stuffed cabbage, pyrohy, chicken, pasky, liver and onions, kielbasa, corn and various pastries.
A Ukrainian violinist and Ukrainian dancers were featured at the festival. Ukrainian arts and crafts were displayed.
For the children, a petting zoo, pony rides and hayrides were provided. The festival also featured a tractor display.
Festival-goers enjoyed games of volleyball and rounds of horseshoes.
A grove of shade trees provided relief from the hot, humid day to those attending.
A steep hillside filled with the thousands of blue spruce, Scotch pine, and Douglas fir Christmas trees grown at the Paproski farm framed the merriment of the festival, which lasted until dusk.