Ukrainian Festival returns to Glen Spey

Newly renovated resort hosts ‘oldest, largest and most popular Ukrainian festival in the United States’

By SANDY LONG

GLEN SPEY, NY — For 32 years, thousands of people have traveled to the beautiful rural town of Glen Spey to attend a three-day extravaganza celebrating Ukrainian heritage, culture and customs during the Verkhovyna Ukrainian Festival. Following a one-year hiatus, during which the event was cancelled due to a change in ownership of the resort where the event is held, the Ukrainian Festival is back and will help to showcase the newly renovated facilities at Verkhovyna Mountain View Resort.

Manager Orest Blanarovich, son of the resort’s new owner, Yuri Blanarovich, said that devotees of the beloved festival have called, some crying, to express their gratitude for the restoration of the festival. “The Ukrainian Festival has always been the staple of the resort. It’s what it’s known for. We’re doing our best to bring it back, and to keep it going,” he said.

The festival will offer entertainment by Ukrainian singers, dancers and musicians from throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Various handcrafted items, such as artfully painted pysanky eggs, sculpture, etchings, paintings and ceramics, will be available to festival-goers. A children’s area will include family-friendly rides, games and prizes. Evenings promise “eating, drinking and dancing the night away,” in the newly refurbished dance hall or outdoors under the stars.

Attendees can sample many delicious festival foods, including Ukrainian specialties such as pierogies, borscht, cabbage rolls and fried cabbage, as well as popular standards such as hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken and steak. “We’d like people to know that there’s something for everyone and the event is open to all,” said Blanarovich.

In addition to offering lodging and services for special events such as weddings, Blanarovich noted that the resort hopes to expand the number of festivals it hosts. Plans are in the works for a wine, cheese and cigar festival in late September and an Oktoberfest event, featuring authentic German food and beer, during the first weekend in October.

The 165-acre site features historic buildings, including the Ardmore Mansion, former home of George Ross Mackenzie, president of Singer Sewing Machines; and the Black Sea Brew Pub and Dance Hall, each having undergone extensive renovations.

The property also boasts a lake, rock garden and various sporting facilities enabling swimming, boating, hiking, camping, tennis, basketball, team handball, lacrosse, volleyball and soccer. A new dining hall will greet participants in the summer camp program and other facilities are slated for renovation. For more information about the festival visit MVresort.com or call 845/856-1105.

The 33rd Annual 2008 Ukrainian Festival

July 18 through 20

Mountain View Resort

369 High Road (Route 41),

Glen Spey, NY

Sample offerings:

• Friday Pub Night with Ukrainian accordionist Matt Dubas

• Saturday Night dancing with

Zolota Bulava and Halychany

• Volya Dance Ensemble from Edmonton, Canada

• Avantgard Concert-Marching Band from Toronto, Canada

• Violin Virtuoso Wasyl Popadiuk

• Carpathian band Cheres

• National Artist of Ukraine, Lilya Ostapenko, and much more!

Stage show programs start at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, 2:00 p.m. on Sunday