The Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU, Inc., 1230 Beaver Run Drive, Lehighton, will be host to the annual Ukrainian Festival celebrating Ukrainian song, dance, music, culture and of course food.

This year's festival will be held Saturday, August 17 from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday, August 18 from noon to 6 p.m.The festival features two stage shows each day at 2 and 4:30 p.m. Performers include the Barbarocin Ukrainian Dancers from New York City, Violinist Inessa Tymochko-Dekajlo from Lviv, Ukraine, the Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble from Schuylkill County, and the Dobriansky Brothers Vocal Ensemble of New York City.Accordionist Walt Syzonenko will provide music for the evening zabava (dance) which begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday.In addition to the stage entertainment, there will be a variety of vendors with traditional crafts and gift items as well as plenty of delicious Ukrainian and American foods.Special cultural exhibits will also be on display.The Kazky Children's Puppets display will entice young and old alike with their retelling of Ukrainian Folk Tales.The Avramenko exhibit, under the auspices of the Shevchenko Foundation of Canada, traces the history of Ukrainian folk dance in the United States and Canada by documenting the work of the renowned folk dance choreographer and researcher Vasily Avramenko.Other cultural displays include pysanky (egg decorating) and gerdany (beadworking).Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in St. Andrew's chapel on the festival grounds on Sunday at 11 a.m.Admission to the festival is $5 for one day or $7 for two days and children 14 and under are admitted free.The Homestead pool will be open for swimming and parking is free.For more information on this year's festival, visit

www.ukrhomestead.com or call (610) 377-4621.