Annual Ukrainian Festival

At Castle Hill Farm

By Andrew Gorosko

On a hot, humid day that seemed more like early August than late September, parishioners of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church of Bridgeport, and others, enjoyed a Ukrainian cultural festival on Sunday, September 25, on the fields at Castle Hill Farm on Sugar Lane.

Festivalgoers sampled Ukrainian attire, Ukrainian music, and Ukrainian foods at the event following the Divine Liturgy of The Mass as celebrated by church clergymen.

The food and folkways of the eastern European country were highlights of the event, which is a church fundraiser.

Among the foods favored by those of Ukrainian descent are potato dumplings, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa-style sausage, sweet fried cabbage, and succulent liver/onion sandwiches.

Pony rides and a petting zoo were among the agricultural treats offered for children, while a moon bounce was  available for physical recreation.

Perhaps the least obvious, but most interesting attraction at the festival was Castle Hill Farm’s corn maze, an intricate series of serpentine pathways cut through a dense cornfield. Maze walkers travel the weaving paths through the tall cornstalks in playing a game during their time inside.

The festival initially had been scheduled for August 28, but was postponed to September 25 due to Tropical Storm Irene.

The annual event formerly was held at the Paproski Christmas Tree Farm on Hattertown Road.