The Ukrainian Homestead in Lehighton was the site of the annual Ukrainian Festival; a weekend of fun, food, and entertainment celebrating the 32nd anniversary of Ukrainian independence.

Organizers estimate about 700 people attended Saturday, and expected close to 1,000 for Sunday.

The festival featured traditional Ukrainian foods such as pirohi, halupki, potato pancakes, borscht, kielbasa and sauerkraut, Edward’s Barbecue, and traditional kulish (Kozak Stew). A variety of vendors sold shirts, scarves, mugs, flags, and many more gift items.

The traditional Pysanky was also offered at several area tables. Halyna Mudryj of Baltimore, had several of her creations for sale. Mudryj started learning Pysanky at the age of four and loves the serenity of it.

“It’s very meditative, it has a calming effect. I meditate, listen to classical music while I’m creating. It’s very freeing.”

“We are promoting our culture, the Ukrainian heritage, especially now during the war,” explained Ulana Prociuk of the Ukrainian Homestead in Lehighton. “Some of the proceeds will go to aid people in the Ukraine. In fact, the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee shipped three or four containers of medical and hospital supplies.”

On Sunday, just before the afternoon’s entertainment, Gene and Christina Tomashosky presented a check for $50,000 to the Ukrainian Homestead for the recent renovations made to the pool, in memory of their daughter, Valentina Tomashosky. They donated an additional $10,000 for fencing around the pool.

“The Love Val Foundation was founded in memory of our daughter,” Gene explained. “She was a student at the dance camp here for several years. The foundation supports those things that were important to her.”

Saturday and Sunday featured the singing of the Canadian, the Ukrainian, and the American National Anthems, a blessing, and an afternoon of traditional Ukrainian dance and music. Kalyna Performing Arts Company, Toronto; Inessa Tymochko Dekajlo, Violinist; Rev. Volodymyr Baran, Accordionist; and KAZKA Ukrainian Folk Ensemble, Schuylkill County, performed both days.