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For many people who attend International Village, the food is the main attraction. This year, 17 nationalities will offer some of their traditional food to this year's festival-goers.
AUSTRIA
Funnel Cakes with fruit or chocolate - $8
Lemonade - $4 small, $6 large
Corn Dogs - $5
Soft Jumbo Pretzel - $5
Apple Strudel - $4
CROATIAN
Sarma (stuffed cabbage)
Kielbasa with sauerkraut
Hot Dogs
Sauerkraut & Bean Soup
Pirogis
Haluski
Croatian potato salad (with oil and vinegar)
Palacinka (crepe with apricot, rasberry or cheese filling)
Medenjaci (honey cake)
EGYPTIAN
Chicken Shawarma Sandwich - $9
Falafel Sandwich - $7
Lamb Pie - $6
Spinach with Feta Pie - $6
Stuffed Grape Leaves - 4 for $5
Hummous Dip - $6
Baba Gannouj Dip - $6
Tabbouleh Salad - $6
Baklava - $4/square
Chocolate Covered Almond Roll - $3
Lemonade - $3 small, $6 large
Coffee - $2
FRANCE: Menu not available
GERMANY
Sauerkraut Balls
German Pretzels
Haluska
Bratwurst
Pierogies
Potato Pancakes
Cabbage Rolls
Knockwurst
German Sausage
German Schnizel
Lemonade
GHANA (African American)
Southern Fried Wing Dinner - $16
Barbecue Rib Dinner - $18
Slab - $27; half slab - $17
Barbecue Pigs Feet - $11
Southern Fried Chicken Wings - 6 for $12
Barbecue Sandwich - $12
(Two sides with every dinner)
Sides by the Bowl:
Southern Tenders (collard greens) - $5
Red Rice - $5
Hoppin Johns (red beans and rice) - $5
Corn Bread or White Bread - $2
Desserts:
Sweet Potato Pie - $12 whole, $4 by the slice
GREEK
Gyro with homemade sauce - $10
Lamb Souvlaki - $12
Mousaka - $9
Pastitsio - $9
Stuffed Peppers - $9
Strifto - $6
Cheese Strifto - $6
Spanakopeta - $5
Dolmades - $1.50
Pastries:
Baklava - $7
Apple, Peach or Blueberry Pita - $4
Koulourakia - $9 per dozen
Kourambiethes - $7 for 6
Melomakarone - $7 for 6
Ipirotiko - $7
Bougatsa - $6
Galactobureko - $6
Coconut Macaroons - $9 for 6
Petit Fours - $13
Nut Horns - $11 per dozen
Ladylocks - $12 per dozen
Honeyballs - $5 for 7
HAWAIIAN - Menu Not Available
HUNGARIAN
Toltott Kaposzta (stuffed cabbage)
Lesco (Hungarian Pepper Stew)
Langos (Fried Dough)
Paprikash Csirke (Chicken Paprikash)
ITALIAN
Stuffed Banana Peppers
Gnochi
Meat Balls
Italian Beef
Italian Provolone Wheel
LEBANESE
Gyro Sandwich - $9
Falafel Sandwich - $7
Baked Kibbee - $6
Stuffed Grapeleaves - 4 for $5
Spinach Pie - $6
Spinach Pie with Feta - $6
Meat Pie - $6
Hummous Dip - $6
Baba Gannouj Dip - $6
Tabbouleh Salad - $6
Baklava - $4 per square
Apricot Roll - $3
Lemonade - $3 small, $6 large
Coffee - $2
MEXICO
Smoked Chicken Nachos
Pork Barbecue Tacos
Chicken Quesadillas
Churros
PHILIPPINES
Main:
Lumpiang shanghai (spring roll) - 7 pieces $5
Lumpiang gulay (vegetable spring roll) - $3, 2 for $5
Empanada de Manila (chicken turnover) - $3, 2 for $5
Inihaw na Manok (grilled chicken) - $8
Pancit Bihon (stir fried noodles) - $7
Adobo Rice Bowl (braised chicken on rice) - $8
Kanin (rice) - $2
Combo: Inihaw na Manok, Pancit, Lumpiang shanghai (3 pieces) - $15
Rice Bowl Specials of the Day:
Day 1 - Lechon Kawali (deep fried pork belly) - $10
Day 2 - Caldereta (beef stew) - $10
Day 3 - Arroz a la Filiniana (pork, beef stir fry with fried banana and fried egg) - $10
Dessert:
Turon (fried banana Wrap) - $3, 2 for $5
Leche Flan - $3
Biko (rice cake) - $3
Puto (rice cake) - $3, 2 for $5
Drinks:
Melon Juice (canteloupe drink) - $2
Calamansi Juice with Honey (Filipino lemonade) - $2
POLAND
Pierogies - feta spinach, potato cheese, crab, jalapeno potato cheese, sweet cabbage, lekvar, sauerkraut
Stuffed Cabbage
Kielbasa
Haluski
SWEDISH
Apple dumplings
TAIWAN
Terryaki Chicken Skewer - $12; with rice and noodle, $17
Shrimp rice and noodle - $15
Vegetable Rice and Noodle - $7
Egg Roll - $4
General Tso Chicken and Rice - $15
Orange Chicken and Rice - $15
Lemonade - $7 for large
Strawberry Lemonade - $9 for large
VIETNAMESE
Teriyaki Chicken-on-a-Stick - $12; with rice and noodle, $17
Vegetable Rice and Noodle - $7
Shrimp Rice and Noodle - $15
Egg Roll - $4
Lemonade - $7 for large
Strawberry Lemonade - $9 for large
OVERVIEW
An event 63 years ago celebrating the rich ethnic heritage of McKeesport has evolved into a three-day festival of food and entertainment that continues to pay tribute to the city's melting pot of traditions.
This year's International Village is Aug. 9-11 from 3-9 p.m. at Stephen Barry Field in McKeesport’s Renziehausen Park along Eden Park Boulevard. Admission is a $2 donation.
Traditional ethnic food and entertainment has been a mainstay of the festival since its beginning as part of McKeesport’s Old Home Week in 1960. That tradition continues this year when 17 nationalities will share their heritage with Village-goers.
Ethnic entertainment will again be featured each day under the Blue Top and on the Main Stage (See Schedule Below). Although the number of groups taking part this year on the Main Stage are down from past years because of limited rehearsal time, the groups that will perform each night are sure to impress Village-goers.
The parking lot adjacent to the Blue Top Pavilion (Gate 4) is handicapped parking ONLY. Free parking is available at designated areas in Renzie Park for the festival.
Seating will be available under the Blue Top Pavilion and behind the food booths near Gate 3. Chairs will be set up around the main stage for watching the entertainment.
HISTORY
International Village got its start as part of McKeesport’s Old Home Week in 1960, a 10-day event that celebrated the city’s rich history and ethnic diversity.
The event helped mark the city’s “165 years of Dynamic Progress,” according to a letter from then Mayor Andrew J. Jakomas in an official publication for the occasion. Describing the festival, the publication said it was “an event which will manifest the diverse heritages of the Citizens of McKeesport.”
During Old Home Week, Market Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues was closed and transformed into an International Village with 10 decorated booths manned by folks who made McKeesport home after arriving from their homelands. They served traditional food and displayed original handicrafts.
Not only was there food and handmade items, musical performances were given by each of the nationality groups. Dances were performed in authentic costumes and national songs were sung and played on traditional instruments.
According to the mayor’s letter, “We anticipate that this colorful event will attract thousands to the International Village and accomplish the purpose of demonstrating the makeup of our citizenry.”
According to reports, several thousand people visited the Village making it — and the Old Home Week parade — the most popular part of the celebration.
International Village was only one component of Old Home Week, which started with a beauty queen contest and fireworks on July 1 and concluded with a Soap Box Derby and community religious services in Renziehausen Park on July 10. Various events included a water carnival on the Monongahela River, a tour of the city, McKeesport Boys Club’s Olympics at the White Street playground, a symphony concert at the bandshell in Renziehausen Park, “tavern specialties” with 5-cent beer, an art show, photo displays, baby contest, and a dog show. The chairman was Zoran Popovich.
Part of the celebration included the streets adorned with flags from all the nations of the world. Ten nationalities were represented in that first International Village — Greek, Polish, Ukrainian, Serbian, Hungarian, Italian, Croatian, Romanian, Irish, and Jewish.
The popularity of the International Village component prompted the chairman to continue the Village the following year in August at what would become its new home — Stephen Barry Field in Renziehausen Park.
INTERNATIONAL
VILLAGE 2022
This site will offer information about the annual ethnic food and entertainment festival Aug. 9-11 at Renziehausen Park in McKeesport. Stories and photos will be posted of the event. If you have memories of International Village, send them to mvhappenings@gmail.com for possible posting on the site.
VILLAGE FOR KIDS
The 13th annual Village for Kids will be Monday, Aug. 8 from 12-4 p.m. at the Lions Band Shell and ballfield in Renziehausen Park. This is a free event. Adult supervision is recommended for children younger than 6.
Festivities will include food, a photo booth, crafts, games, music, inflatable rides, and a Meet and Greet with Sonic the Hedgehog. A Prince and Princess will be crowned at 2:30 p.m.; they must be there to win. Each will receive a 20-inch bike and a helmet donated by the McKeesport Trail Commission, which will be presented at International Village Tuesday, Aug. 9 at 8 p.m.
Following is the agenda:
NOON - 4 p.m.
DJ at the bandshell
Food Gallery (Freeze pops, hot dogs, chips, cookies, drinks, fruit snacks; nachos and pop will be available to purchase from the Kiwanis Club)
Activity Zone by Family Tent Rental
Screenings, information, crafts, game tables, activities, fingerprinting by police, fire smokehouse
Photo Booth Tent
NOON - 2 p.m.
Registration table for "A Village Kids" Day Prince and Princess. Children 12 and younger are eligible.
1-2 p.m. AT THE STAGE
Meet and Greet with Sonic the Hedgehog (made possible by P.G.H. Party Creations)
2:30 p.m. AT THE STAGE
Announcements/Pictures
Crowing of the Prince and Princess
The following groups are part of this year's Village for Kids:
Mayor Mike Cherepko (hot dog and chip booth)
Nuttall Public Safety Equipment LLC
Altrusa International of McKeesport
Mon Valley Independent
Goodwill of Southwestern PA
PA American Water
UPMC for You Dental
Human Services Center Corp.
McKeesport Area School District
McKeesport Police Department
McKeesport Fire Department
McKeesport Area Rescue Services
City of McKeesport
State Senator Jim Brewster’s Office
McKeesport/White Oak Kiwanis
TCV Community Services
Latterman Family Health Center
Allegheny County Health Department Dental Program
Faith Lutheran Church
Penn State Greater Allegheny
McKeesport Family Center
State Representative Austin Davis
Familylinks
McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center
Carnegie Library of McKeesport
Auberle SNAP
St. John’s Lutheran Church-North Versailles
McKeesport Lions Club
Fund My Future PGH
McKeesport Area High School Cheerleaders
Office of Family Child Health - Allegheny County Health Department
Office of Chronic Disease - Allegheny County Health Department
Fun Faces by Michele
UPMC Centers for Rehab Services
Trulieve
LaRosa Youth Club
Mon Yough Community Services
ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment from around the world will be presented each day at two locations. Each night there will be entertainment under the Jakomas Blue Top Pavilion from 5-9 p.m. and several groups performing nightly on the Main Stage beginning at 6 p.m. Fireworks are planned Tuesday night. Entertainment coordinator is Mikey Dee.
TUESDAY
MAIN STAGE
Gypsy Stringz - 6 p.m.
Grecian Odyssey Dancers - 7:30 p.m.
Introduction of City Officials - 8 p.m.
Local Kolo Dancers - 8:15 p.m.
Lebanese Belly Dancer - 8:45 p.m.
Fireworks (weather permitting)
BLUE TOP
Polka Night with the Nu-Tones
WEDNESDAY
MAIN STAGE
Alpen Muzikanten - 6 p.m.
ABC by JoAnn (Hawaiian) - 6:45 p.m.
Rankin Junior Tamburitzans (Croatian) - 7:30 p.m.
BLUE TOP
Kolo Night with the Mikey Dee Tamburitzans
THURSDAY
MAIN STAGE
Continental Dukes - 6 p.m.
FAAP Dancers (Phillipines) - 7 p.m.
Christ Temple AME (Ghana) - 8 p.m.
BLUE TOP
Variety Night with the Del Sinchak Band