GREAT FOOD • FAMILY FUN • SLAVIC TRADITIONS
Discover traditional flavors, imported beverages, fascinating stories, family-friendly activities and festival keepsakes throughout the celebration. Join us Saturday for cooking demonstrations, featured speakers and a special author Q&A.
Saturday, September 19
Explore Slavic faith, food, literature, history and heritage through this special Saturday program.
Fr. Timothy Farris will use copies of 40 icons to tell the story of Sts. Cyril and Methodius.
Fr. Tim is pastor of St. Mary’s Byzantine Catholic Church in the Cambria City neighborhood of Johnstown.
Presented by Cindy Fetcko
Learn how to prepare this familiar, comforting festival favorite during a live cooking demonstration.
Join award-winning international historical novelist Mila Evanovich for a special author presentation and question-and-answer session.
Mila Evanovich is an award-winning international historical novelist who brings to life the overlooked stories of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and the Serbian experience during and after World War II.
Drawing on archival investigations and survivor testimonies, Evanovich evokes the profound human cost of war, exile and displacement while honoring the resilience of her subjects.
Her debut novel, No Bread Tomorrow, earned the International Impact Award for Historical works. Its sequel, A Place Between Borders, follows the Nikolić family as they navigate postwar exile and life in displaced persons camps.
Through her novels, lectures, author events and academic presentations, she seeks to ensure that this remarkable generation and the sacrifices they endured are not forgotten.
What does your surname mean, where does it come from and how was it originally pronounced?
This talk explores the origins and meanings of Johnstown’s Eastern European surnames—including Slovak, Hungarian, Polish, Croatian, Ukrainian and more—uncovering centuries of hidden meaning in trades, animals, landscapes and personal names carried from the Carpathian foothills across the Atlantic.
Daniel Sax grew up in Johnstown and has spent the past thirty years living and working in Eastern Europe as a linguist, translator and editor specializing in Polish, Russian and Hungarian.
He has translated and edited dozens of academic books, including works on Eastern European history and language, which makes decoding the surnames of his hometown something of a homecoming.
Polish noodles with kielbasa presented by Cindy Muir
Watch a live demonstration of this traditional Polish comfort dish featuring noodles and kielbasa.
Program times and presentations are subject to change.
Creative Fun for Our Youngest Guests
The Community Arts Center of Cambria County will be providing several different arts and crafts activities for kids that will be both entertaining and educational.
Young festivalgoers can create, learn and take part in hands-on activities while experiencing Slavic culture in a fun and welcoming environment.
Festival Flavors
Come hungry and enjoy traditional Slavic dishes, regional favorites, fresh baked goods, sweet treats and festival specialties from this year’s food vendors.
Serbian Cuisine
Lamb sandwiches, cevapi (grilled sausage on pita), sarma (stuffed cabbage), palicinka (crepes) and nut roll
Hungarian Cuisine
Pierogie Pizza
Visit WebsitePierogies
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Imported & Festival-Crafted Drinks
We will be serving eight different imported Slavic beers along with our custom creation, Borovnica, and Stone Bridge Brewing’s Heritage Pilsner.
Guests can also enjoy a selection of imported Slavic wines and spirits throughout the festival.
Festival Keepsakes
Take home a special reminder of the celebration or find a unique gift for someone who loves Slavic culture.
Available at the Festival
Official Johnstown Slavic Festival merchandise will be available for purchase during the festival. Shop festival mugs, recipe books and commemorative keepsakes while enjoying this year’s celebration.
Merchandise selection and quantities may vary.
