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WEIRTON -- The time has come once again for a day filled with music, singing, laughter and the delicious smells of various foods wafting through the air. Making its way to Weirton is the Serbian Festival.
Serb Fest 2023 will get under way at noon, July 22. The festival will run until 8 p.m. and take place at the Serbian Picnic Grounds, located at 80 Serbian Way.
The annual festival has been around for more than 70 years. Members of the Holy Resurrection Serbian Church in Steubenville began the annual event by holding a picnic celebration each July.
The event was a way to inform the community about the Serbian immigrants who settled in the Ohio Valley and brought with them their Orthodox faith and Serbian traditions during the early 1900s.
However, during the last several years, the celebration's name remained changed and is now referred to as Serb Fest. Organizers maintained the date of each celebration, hosting the event every July.
Although the name has been changed, the reason behind the event remains the same: To honor Serbian ancestors and to celebrate their heritage and traditions with family, friends and others from throughout the Tri-State Area.
Visitors come from all over the United States for this event, according to organizers.
There will be plenty of food on hand for the event, including two specialties which are prepared by the Serbian Mens' Club -- wood-roasted lamb and chicken.
"If you haven't tasted either one, you are in for a treat," stated Frances Wasko, public relations coordinator.
"And speaking of treats," she continued, "there will be numerous baked goods for sale made from recipes handed down from generation to generation."
The festival will offer a specialty food known as grilled cevaps, which are small sausages made with pork, lamb and beef, as well as secret spices.
Additional foods will include cabbage rolls, cabbage and noodles, kielbasa and sauerkraut, pierogies and sweet sausage.
All the food is prepared by the members of the Sveta Petka Kolo, the K.S.S. Vidovdan Kolo and the Petar Krstich Choir, Wasko stated.
Other items that will be sold are hot dogs, pepperoni rolls, nachos and cheese, french fries, sloppy joes and a wide variety of beverages.
There will be a 50/50 drawing, along with various merchandise for sale.
Wasko explained the festival will be held in a country setting which includes a pavilion, playground, basketball court and plenty of picnic tables to accommodate large gatherings.
Admission is $2. Children 12 and under are admitted free.