The 43rd Ukrainian Festival will be held Sunday, September 16, at Paproski’s Castle Hill Pumpkin Patch, 25 Sugar Lane. The event begins at 11 am with the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Father Ivan Mazuryk, Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, Bridgeport.

The Ukrainian Kitchen will open after that, with Ukrainian food made by the parish women: varenyky (pyrogies), holubchi (stuffed cabbage), kobassa (kielbasa) with kapusta (sweet fried cabbage), nalysnyky (blintzes), shish kebab, and picnic-style food.

Entertainment will begin at 2 pm with Kolynonka Ukrainian Dance Group of Stamford and the singing duet of Kit and Kutna, among others. There also will be an exhibition of Ukrainian arts and crafts and vendors selling Ukrainian artifacts.

Activities throughout the day include hayrides, pony rides, petting zoo, moon walk, volleyball and horseshoe tournaments, soccer, and the annual Varenyky Eating Contest at 4 pm. Zabava (dance music) will be provided by DJ Lukiv.

Admission is by donation. There is plenty of free, off-street parking. The festival will be held rain or shine. It is presented and sponsored by the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church of Bridgeport. For information, contact Gloria Horbaty (203-269-5909) or Stephen Paproski (203-426-5487).