2nd annual Cleveland Kurentovanje

Photo courtesy Cleveland Kurentovanje

The St. Clair-Superior neighborhood was once a thriving hub of Slovenian life, filled with Slovenian businesses, churches and restaurants. Recently there has been a movement to restore some of the culture to that neighborhood. Last year a group of community members organized the first ever Cleveland Kurentovanje and the festival returns this Saturday.

Kurentovanje is the most popular carnival event in Slovenia and has been celebrated for more than 50 years. More than 100,000 people typically attend the two-day celebration. The main figure of the carnival, the large and fuzzy Kurent, is believed to chase away winter and usher in spring.

Ten Kurents will be featured in this year's parade, which kicks off at noon at St. Vitus Church on Lausche Avenue and ends at the Slovenian National Home on St. Clair Ave. The parade will include polka music, marching bands, dance groups and people dressed in traditional clothing from Eastern Europe (visitors also are encouraged to dress in costume!) Prior to the start of the parade, stop by Collective Upcycle Boutique, 6202 St. Clair Ave., to enjoy some krofi, or Slovenian donuts, and coffee.

The party moves to the Slovenian National Home after the parade where guests can enjoy ethnic food, wine, beer and live music. The Slovenian Museum and Archives, along with local businesses, will be open all afternoon.

The after party takes place at Sterle's Country House on East 55th Street starting at 6 p.m. The Joey Tomsick Orchestra will perform live polka music until 10 p.m. and the bier garden will be open throughout the day. Come out and enjoy some schnitzel, a shot of Slivovitz and polka the night away!

Cleveland Kurentovanje hours:
Saturday, March 1 from 11 a.m. to midnight

For more information, visit Cleveland Kurentovanje.