The girls of the Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble tied colorful ribbons in their hair while the men fastened their red belts in place before performing traditional dances during the 24th annual Ukrainian Festival.

More than 100 people ventured out to the Beaver Run Road location to enjoy pirohi, stuffed cabbage known as holubki or halupki and kielbasa with sauerkraut made by the homestead’s kitchen staff. Participants ate Ukrainian Buttercake while watching several performances by the Kazka, Innesa Tymochko-Dekajlo of Lviv, Ukraine, Nadiya Song and Dance Ensemble, Dobriansky Brothers and singer Liudmila Joy.The Ukrainian Homestead has been hosting the weekend-long event as a way to preserve and promote the culture during the Ukrainian celebration of independence from the Soviet Union.The Central Executive Committee of the Organization for the Re-Birth of Ukraine Inc. purchased the land to help keep the country’s heritage apart of the next generation of Ukrainian-American families.Organizer Ulana Prociuk said the festival was created “to pass the culture from generation to generation. We’re here in America, land of the free, but we want to promote our heritage.”According to Prociuk, the festival takes close to a year to plan and execute.To open the festivities, both the Ukrainian and American national anthems were performed. Members of the Ukrainian-American Veterans Jack Palance Post 42 held both countries’ flags while the entertainers and audience members sang along with the music.“We have Ukrainian- American veterans here,” Prociuk said.“These are both American and Ukrainian vets who risked their lives for both countries,” she said.Following the songs, Kazka began with the show with the Ukrainian Welcoming Dance.“It’s a traditional dance that is performed with bread and salts to welcome guests into your home,” said dancer Roman Milan.“Older people who grew up with this come to the festival to remember. Some people here danced as kids. Now they bring their kids to dance.”According to the assistant dance instructor of Saint Mary’s in Allentown, the troupe practiced in the Lehighton location once a week for up to three hours. The 30 member group consists of many sets of brothers and sisters who became part of the dancing tradition before they started elementary school. Zoria Komperda who got her dance start at St. Mary’s when she was just 3 years old.“She has been dancing with them for 10 years,” said her mother, Mirka.“We’ve been here a long time. We try to come to the festival every year,” she said.“They always do a great job. They put a lot of work into it,” said Steve Cebenko, father of three dancers.“They’re not just phoning it in. The passion is contagious. It’s a great outlet for them,” he said.Innesa delighted the audience as she wove through the crowd while bowing Ukrainian songs on her violin. She was followed by singer Liudmila Joy, who performed popular music from the homeland.“They keep it very traditional,” said the Rev. Volodymyr Baran of the homestead’s St. Andrew’s Chapel.The Ukrainian native turned Palmerton resident says he has been attending the festival for two years.“The area resembles Ukraine, the nature and the people here at the homestead,” he said.The chapel underwent renovations over the past few years with most of the construction paid for with funds raised from the parking fee and $5 show admission cost during the festival.“It’s our only fundraiser,” Prociuk said.The Ukrainian conflict with Russia was acknowledged during the show when master of ceremonies Dr. Paula Holoviak announced songs that honor the country.“Ukraine is under attack now. We want to pay tribute to Crimea and the Tatar people who survived under the Stalin era but are now being persecuted again by Russia,” she said before introducing Joy, who sang, “My Charming, My Beloved, Crimea.”“There has been a lot of interest lately because of the conflict. People are interested in finding out what it’s all about,” said Milan.The show was closed both nights with the country’s traditional dance.“No celebrations could be complete with out the Hopak,” said Holoviak.