People from across the state, nation and world congregated in Lehighton last Saturday to commemorate the 26th anniversary of Ukrainian independence, celebrating a rich history and cultural heritage.

"This is the 27th annual Ukrainian Festival here at the Ukrainian Homestead. It's open to the public, and it celebrates Ukrainian independence and culture. There's all sorts of musical and dances acts, Ukrainian food, refreshments, sweets and vendors selling beautiful handmade items," said Paula Holoviak, cultural director of the Ukrainian Homestead.

Ulana Prociuk, administrator of the Ukrainian Homestead, said that the food and performances, along with amicable weather, drew sizable crowds this year, exposing the culture and history of Ukraine to locals and immigrants alike.

Pennsylvania's coal region served as a major point of immigration for Ukrainians in the late 19th century, establishing a niche cultural pocket that would last for decades.

"The Organization for the Rebirth of Ukraine purchased this property in 1957. We've had camps, different cultural events, a Christmas bazaar, an Easter bazaar. We're celebrating out 60th anniversary this year," Prociuk said. "Throughout all of these years, we've had festivals and events to get the public acquainted with Ukrainian culture. A lot of people don't know about us, even though we've been here for so long. We deal with a lot of Ukrainians who are third or fourth generation, and a lot of Americans who come when they see something in the paper."

The Homestead's Kazka Ukrainian Folk Ensemble kicked off the festivities with "Pryvit," a welcoming dance. Dancers in bright wardrobes featuring colorful tassels and floral headdresses filled the main stage, presenting a carefully choreographed performance to traditional Ukrainian music. Over a hundred visitors blanketed the hills, entranced by the elegant movements and eye-catching costumes.

Holoviak said that music and dance are integral elements of the Ukrainian culture, and have been kept alive by passionate families over the years.

"We're the original presenters, including myself, my brother and my sister-in-law," Holoviak said. "We've been teaching singing and dancing for 30 years. I've been dancing for 50 years. When we started, we were little children. We love it, passing it along to the next generation. My kids really love it. My little guy is up there, he's 9, and he dances. They all dance."

Of course, the food was a huge draw as well. Ukrainian Homestead member Nicholas Pantiuk doled out tickets, which could be exchanged for individual items or complete meals, almost nonstop. As for the quintessential Ukrainian meal, Pantiuk had a good set of recommendations.

"Borscht, for the soup, holubtsi, which is stuffed cabbage, and you could also have the perohy," he said, pointing out the perogies have been a favorite. "It's been excellent, people have been buying plenty of tickets, and we have the Ukrainian beer, which is very good. The reception has been very excellent."

The beer in question, Lvivske 1715, is a Ukrainian-made Euro-style pale lager. According to those in the bar, it easily outsold any other offerings.

"There are many beers on the market, even in the U.S., that are Ukrainian beers, but Lvivske is the one that pushed through. Granted, you won't find it at every beer distributor, but when you do find it, you get it. It's like our little piece of home," Xenia Krylyuk, a Ukrainian Homestead member, said.

Throughout the Homestead, vendors proudly displayed a variety of wares, with numerous traditional crafts lining nearly every inch of each table.

"We came four or five years ago, and I loved it so much. We've been very busy, it's hard for me to get away, but this year I looked it up and decided I was going to go. I love it, I love the music, I love the ethnic dress, I love the dress. It's just fantastic, it makes me so happy," Philadelphia resident Isabel Wister said as she browsed a table with decorative Ukrainian eggs known as pysanky.

The incredibly detailed designs on pysanky are made using a wax-relief method, where the artist applies wax to the egg using a stylus and proceeds to dye the egg in stages. In the end, the wax is carefully removed, leaving a colorful pysanky. Wooden versions, like the ones sold by vendor Ed Sirkot, are popular as well, as they last longer than a real egg.

"The word 'pysaty,' in Polish, Ukrainian and Russian, it means 'to write.' So a decorated egg is called a 'pysanky,' " Sirkot said, explaining that the eggs were adapted from pagan culture, and were part of the region before there even was a Ukraine.

Outdoors, Dmytro Yaskal's table of homemade jewelry, featuring fine, colorful beadwork, caught the eye of anyone who would walk by.

"These are traditional Ukrainian necklaces, my mother makes them. I see people looking around for 30 minutes, they just can't decide what to get," Yaskal said.

The jovial energy permeated the entire crowd throughout the afternoon and into the evening, as friends, families and inquisitive visitors took in the rich history and incredible culture of Ukraine.

"We're here not just for the Ukrainian community, but to promote our culture, our heritage, because everything evolved through the coal-mining regions and throughout Pennsylvania and the United States," Prociuk said.