Imagine traveling more than 2,600 miles for a dance performance.

That is what 20 young people from Canada did.

They are members of Yuna Volya, a Ukrainian Dance Ensemble of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The dancers and several parents and other adults traveled to the Ukrainian Homestead on Beaver Run Road, Lehighton, for the homestead’s annual Ukrainian Festival held this past weekend on the grounds in the Mahoning Valley.

Susan Dubois, of Edmonton, and Marina Klavanenko from St. Albert, both in Alberta, Canada, made the trip. Dubois’ daughter is part of the dance group.

“They are excited to be here,” said Dubois. “They enjoy going other places, sharing cultures. They travel like this every few years.”

The annual Ukrainian Homestead Festival celebrates the culture and traditions of the Ukrainian people with food, vendors, a beer garden, and some of the best music and dancing anywhere.

While the festival has been held for many years at the homestead, it has taken on even more significance ever since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Food vendors offered delicious ethnic choices such as pirohi, halupki, potato pancakes, borscht, kielbasa and sauerkraut. There was also pork, chicken and beef barbecue, and traditional kulish (Kozak stew).

One stand had cheesesteaks, sausage sandwiches, hot dogs, and more. Scoopendorf’s Ice Cream Company was on hand with homemade ice cream treats.

Walt Syzonenko entertained everyone with his masterful accordion music in a tent at the beer garden.

The stage program was held indoors due to the rain. The program featured music by Ridna Pisnya Music Ensemble from Brooklyn, New York. Syzonenko played his accordion on stage as well.

In addition to Yuna Volya, the Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble from Schuylkill County also performed dances from the Carpathian Mountains and the Lemko region of southwestern Ukraine. Kazak has been performing together since 1987.

Lesia Stecyna, formerly of Allentown, now of Lehighton, is one of the founders of the festival.

“In 1957, the location formed as the Ukrainian Homestead. My mom was a cook here back then, and she would tell us that we would eventually take over. We were only 15 at the time. But, here we are now.”

Funds raised at the festival are used for the upkeep of the homestead, and some of the funds go to help people in the Ukraine.

“We’re keeping the traditions and this place alive,” Stecyna said.

The Ukrainian Homestead offers a dance camp every summer. And on Sept. 21, they will hold a potato bake featuring a pig roast and plenty of food.

Visit ukrhomestead.com for more information about the Homestead and its activities.