Saskatoon celebrates with Ukraine Day in the Park (09/17/06)

THE 15th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE

Saskatoon celebrates with Ukraine Day in the Park

by Al Kachkowski

SASKATOON - A record crowd of more than 10,000 arrived on a beautiful sunny day, August 26, as the sixth annual Ukraine Day in the Park celebrated the centennial of the City of Saskatoon and the 15th anniversary of the independence of Ukraine.

Ukraine Day was part of the Centennial Celebrations Weekend, which was coordinated with the annual Cruise Weekend automobile show and the Centennial Bridge Party. Staged by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Saskatoon Branch, Ukraine Day took place in downtown Saskatoon's Kiwanis Park, immediately south of the city's landmark hotel, the Delta Bessborough. -A dozen performing groups from Saskatoon and Prince Albert provided a dynamic program of entertainment on the large outdoor stage.

Activities then moved to the festival site, where participants enjoyed food and beverage service supplied by vendors representing various Ukrainian organizations. The featured cultural display consisted of photographs and text describing the Ukrainian community of Saskatoon.

The organizing committee organized a "make-your-own headband or bookmark" activity for children, while a face painting and picture coloring station was provided by the Mendel Art Gallery. An expanded beer garden attracted large numbers of patrons who enjoyed the shade of the large park trees along with an excellent view of the stage and the South Saskatchewan River.

MCs George Hupka and Lesia Sorokan, presided over the official opening ceremonies at 2 p.m. They commented on Ukraine's centuries-long aspirations and struggles for freedom that finally led to the independence declared on August 24, 1991.

Member of the Legislative Assembly Andy Ewanchuk greeted the audience on behalf of the government of Saskatchewan and recognized Ukrainian Canadians for their contribution to Canadian culture. Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison, greeted the crowd and then passed Saskatoon's centennial torch to Slawko Kindrachuk, event chairperson. Eugene Krenosky, president of the UCC's Sasketchewan Provincial Council brought greetings as well.

The four-hour stage show that followed was opened by the Pavlychenko Folklorique Ensemble and the Barveenok Dancers from Prince Albert. A new six-member instrumental ensemble that called themselves Figu z Makom provided quality music during several sets in the concert and the evening dance. Three young people, alumni of the Ukrainian Cultural and Language Immersion Program at Mohyla Institute recited poetry. The Veselka Choir from Prince Albert provided a program of Ukrainian folk melodies. The Yevshan Ukrainian Folk Ballet Ensemble concluded the program with a rousing rendition of the Hopak. The other Saskatoon dance groups that rounded out the program were Vesnianka, Rushnychok, Sonechko and Boyan.

The stage show concluded with the now-traditional launching of 500 blue and yellow helium-filled balloons that sparkled in the sunshine as they rose into the sky to the stirring patriotic sounds of the musical recording "Ukraino" by Taras Petrynenko. Following this, everyone participated in the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem.

The Skylarks dance band then took the stage and entertained the crowd until 9 p.m. Many took the opportunity to dance to the lively music. The neighboring Broadway Bridge was closed to traffic in order to host entertainers and a series of activities beginning at 6 p.m. the same evening. After 9 p.m., Ukraine Day attendees witnessed 1,000 lanterns floating down the river after they were launched by the Saskatoon Centennial Committee. Everyone from Ukraine Day joined the people from the Bridge Party, and many others, to watch the spectacular fireworks display over the river to cap off the celebration of Saskatoon's Centennial. Saskatoon's daily newspaper estimated the assembled crowd at 30,000.

Organizers of Ukraine Day in the Park thanked all the financial contributors and especially the event's partner, the New Community Credit Union.

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