Ukrainian Festival returns in Rochester

Rochester, New York – The Rochester Ukrainian Festival is returning from Thursday through Sunday, August 21.

It will celebrate Ukrainian culture with food, live music, dancing, and crafts. The festival takes place at St. Josaphat’s Church on Ridge Road in Irondequoit. On Sunday, there will be a mass at the church and a prayer for peace.

The festival runs from:

• Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until 10:45 pm
• Friday from 6 p.m. until 11:45 p.m.
• Saturday from 1 p.m. until 11:45 p.m.
• Sunday from 1 p.m until 8 p.m.

Since Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, the 50th annual Ukrainian Festival will be the first held. Many members of Rochester’s Ukrainian community have feared for the lives of their relatives during the war that has continued for five months.

According to Solomia Lava of RocMaidan, she worried for her family member’s safety. “I have a lot of family with young children some who slept in bomb shelters the other night, others that don’t know what the next day is going to bring,” Lava said. “I think that’s something everyone is scared of now.”

RocMaidan will have a booth at the festival to donate to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. You can also donate on RocMaidan’s website. The organization has helped to send medical supplies, clothing, hygiene products, and even entire ambulances to Ukraine.