A Ukrainian Summer: where to go, what to do...
Ukrainian Homestead in the western Poconos is poised for new season
by Alex Prociuk
LEHIGHTON, Pa. - The Ukrainian Homestead, owned by the Organization for the Rebirth of Ukraine (ODVU), is located on 200 acres in the western Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, near historic sites and recreational activities.
The year-round resort is used during the fall, winter and spring by many different groups and organizations for conventions, meetings and outings.
The Ukrainian Homestead offers motel rooms, bungalows, a swimming pool, barbecue areas, campsites, sports activities and cultural events. During the summer season, Sunday liturgy is held in the chapel.
The summer season at the Homestead opens during Memorial Day weekend with a picnic and a dance. This summer, in addition to several private events, there will be four different camps held at the Homestead: Ukrainian Gold Cross Children's Camp, Kazka Dance Camp, Voloshky Dance Camp and the Burlaky Fraternity's Plast Mountain Biking Camp.
The highlight of the summer is the annual Ukrainian Folk Festival held every third weekend in August to commemorate the declaration of Ukraine's independence and to celebrate Ukrainian heritage. The seventh annual festival will be held Saturday-Sunday, August 21-22. It will feature the Vesnianka Dance Ensemble, Dnipriany, the Kazka Dance Ensemble and other local dance and vocal groups. The festival also hosts vendors who sell various Ukrainian goods and, of course, a Ukrainian kitchen. Festivities continue into the night, ending with a zabava (dance).
During the Labor Day weekend, a dance will be held Saturday evening. The Homestead will also host a conference and convention of the Organization for the Rebirth of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Gold Cross.
The summer season ends in September with the traditional Dyviziinyky potato bake and dance.
In addition, the Ukrainian Homestead hosts other events such as New Year's Eve and Mardi Gras dances, Thanksgiving, Sviat Vechir (Christmas Eve) and Sviachene (Easter) dinners, an Easter bazaar, ski trips, rafting trips and much more.
The resort's calendar of events is always being updated. For a copy of the latest schedule, send an addressed and stamped envelope to: Ukrainian Homestead, 1230 Beaver Run Drive, Lehighton, PA 18325. For more information call (610) 377-4621.
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, May 2, 1999, No. 18, Vol. LXVII
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