Slovak ‘Septemberfest’ fundraiser in McMurray

The National Slovak Society Heritage Museum hopes for contributions Sept. 23 for both hurricane relief through the Brother’s Brother Foundation and monetary donations and food for the Blessings in a Backpack program at its sixth annual “Septemberfest” in McMurray.
The backpack food program mobilizes communities, individuals and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry.
A Chinese auction and the sale of Enjoy coupon books will benefit the Hurricane relief fund.
Money raised will be matched by the National Slovak Society.
The cultural event also will feature several Slovak cooking demonstrations: Jablcka v zupane (fried apples); bryndzova natierka (cheese spread); and medovniky (honey cakes). Recipes and samples will be distributed.
Larry Kozlowski of Pittsburgh, an advocate for preserving Slovak traditions, will be among the presenters. His cooking demonstrations will be conducted in addition to the food available at Slovak café, and homemade treats such as zakusky and kolace will be provided by Slovak bakers.
The Junior Pittsburgh Slovakians and the Pittsburgh Slovakians, Pittsburgh’s oldest Slovak cultural group, will entertain with Slovak songs and dances. A bingo game will be called in Slovak, and there will be polka dancing.
“Roxy,” the Slovak Cuvac, a breed of sheep dog native to Slovakia, will be on hand to meet guests.
Visitors also will be able to find tips on how to search for ancestors locally and online for those who are researching a family tree.
There will be a marketplace of gifts, trinkets and souvenirs.
The centerpiece of the gathering will be inside the museum, where the largest animated woodcarving in the United States has proven to be the most popular feature of the event since it was introduced in 2015.
More than 50 scenes depict folk life as it has existed in Slovakia for hundreds of years, with 82 lifelike moving figures. This year, a woodcarving and whittling demonstration will complement the attraction.
Septemberfest, which gives participants a chance to get a head start on learning about Slovak Christmas customs, will begin at 11 a.m. and continue through 4 p.m. at the National Slovak Society Heritage Museum, 351 Valley Brook Road, McMurray. Free parking will be available at the Jordan Tax Office lot at Valley Brook and Rahway Drive.
Directions and more information are available at www.nsslife.org/museum or 800-488-1890.