Ukrainian Festival Returning August 24

The 33rd annual Ukrainian Festival will be held Sunday, August 24, at the Paproski Christmas Tree Fair, 5 Hattertown Road in Newtown.

The day will begin at 11 am with the Divine Liturgy said by Father Ivan Kaszczak, pastor of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church. The church choir, under the direction of Jaroslav Shumyhora, will sing the responses.

Ukrainian food made by the parish women, under the direction of Taras Slevinsky and Yaroslava Kovach, will be available for purchase along with picnic-style food. Offerings will include vareyky (potato dumplings, like pyrogies), holubchi (stuffed cabbage), kobassa (kielbasa), and kapucta (sweet fried cabbage).

A lively program, organized by Maria Lisowitch, will begin at 2:30 pm. It will consist of ethnic Ukrainian dancing performed by the Kolononka Children’s Dance Group of Stamford, and Ukrainian songs by parish youth and the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Branch 73.

There will also be an exhibit of Ukrainian arts and crafts coordinated by Gloria and Chrystyna Horbaty.

Other entertainment throughout the day, organized by Stephen and Diana Paroski, will include volleyball and horseshoe tournaments, hay rides, pony rides, petting zoo, Moon Walk, chess, and a Varenyky Eating Contest.

Admission is $2, and there is plenty of free off-street parking.

For additional information, call Gloria P. Horbaty, 203-269-5909, or Stephen Paproski, 426-5487.