welcome

Dancers from ABC By JoAnn entertained the crowd with dances from the Hawaiian islands.

The following social media post was put out by McKeesport International Village: 
2 out of 3 Ain't Bad...
Unfortunately, we have to cancel today's I.V. Festival activities. The rain is not anticipated to stop completely anytime soon. Our number one priority is safety. Even though the fields are draining, there may still be standing water around our tents. As the old adage goes, "water and electricity doesn't mix". We have our regrets about this decision, but we consider this year's festival to be a huge success. We will keep you informed of further details. Thank you all for coming. And we look forward to seeing you again next year.

     Last night marked the opening night of the 66th annual International Village in Renziehausen Park's Jimmy Long field adjacent to the Lions Bandshell. The weather was perfect, the food was plentiful and the entertainment was wonderful. A spectacular fireworks display wrapped up a successful first night of McKeesport's ethnic food and entertainment festival.

     Festivities continue tonight (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday) from 3 until 9 p.m. Admission is free and parking is available across the street at the fire station, at the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center and various places through the park. Handicapped parking is offered next to the dek hockey arena, with a shuttle available.

     Reflecting on the festival, Mayor Tommy Maglicco said this year's Village "is a breath of fresh air. We made the decision last year to do this. We were a little nervous but it's all we had hoped it would be. It was very important to keep the ethnic tradition so that's why we kept the stage. We also have the asset of the Lions Bandshell."

     Moving the festival from Stephen Barry Field to the new location in the park was the result of grants - one for improvement at the former site and one for improvements including the addition of electrical capabilities to the new site. He credited city electrician Tom Rosso who had the ability to make this user friendly so other festivals could use the area. During the introduction of officials, Mayor Maglicco thanked everyone who "worked so hard. This is one of McKeesport's greatest traditions but it doesn't happen without everyone working together."

     He singled out Rosso, who was presented the Key to the City for his many years of service to McKeesport. "He started working when he was in high school or college," Maglicco said. "He worked with my dad and I worked with him first as city manager and now as mayor. He is my right-hand man with International Village and he figures out how to make things better."

      Village Director/Event Coordinator Dan Carr said the new location was a good move. "This is so much bigger and more open and you can see the beauty of the park. People ask why we moved. We moved because we are redoing  (Stephen Barry) field to expand it for older boys and girls to use and we received a grant to improve this area to make it a multi-purpose field. Everything is going the way we had hoped it would."

      If you missed the first night, no need to worry. There will be plenty of food and entertainment tonight. Village-goers can sample food from 16 nations. There's also hand-dipped ice cream hosted by the Lions Club and water and soda available from a booth hosted by the city.

     Enterainment will be a little different Wednesday evening. Mikey Dee and Gypsy George Batyi will be strolling the festival grounds playing a variety of ethnic tunes from 4-7 p.m. Beginning at 7 p.m., the Amish Outlaws​ will perform at the Lions Bandshell adjacent to the field. Be sure to bring lawn chairs to listen to the music and enjoy your favorite ethnic food.

      One of the opening highlights was the presentation of new bikes and helmets to the Prince and Princess who were crowned at Monday's Village for Kids. This year's royalty are Juan Gabriel Inca, age 9, and Laila Jean Martin, age 5.        There is more to International Village than food and entertainment. There are a variety of informational booths including the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center, Carnegie Free Library of McKeesport, McKeesport Little Theater, a prayer booth, Tube City Online, McKeesport International Village Information, McKeesport Police, McKeesport K-9 Unit, Striffler, and the Allegheny County Sheriff.

     The Heritage Center will offer free admission during the Village hours. The Rose Garden adjacent to to the festival site, will be open until 8 p.m. and an indoor craft show will be offered until 7 p.m. each evening.

Story and Photos by Carol Waterloo Frazier

August 19, 2026

Fireworks wrap up opening night of new Village location, look

INTERNATIONAL

VILLAGE 2026
This site will offer information about the annual ethnic food and entertainment festival Aug. 18-20 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. 

A worker in the Lebanon booth explains one of the traditional menu items, left, while folks wait in line for food from Vietnam.

Amish Outlaws rocks second night of International Village

The large opening night crowd for the Village enjoyed good food and entertainment. Entertainment Coordinator Mikey Dee said the people were enjoying the setting. He told the crowd, "We may have changed the location but it is the same great feel." While the opening night crowd was large, even more folks are expected to attend Wednesday night for Amish  Outlaws at the Lions Bandshell, adjacent to Jimmy Long Field.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Lions Bandshell Wednesday night for an energetic performance by Amish Outlaws. 

Last night of Village cancelled because of rain

There are several inflatable adventures awaiting young Village-goers. 

     Jimmy Long Field in Renziehausen Park came to life Wednesday with the sights, sounds and flavors of McKeesport's 66th International Village. Admission to the festival is free.
     Last night sounded a little different this year. Instead of performances on the Main Stage, Mikey Dee & Gypsy George Batyi strolled the festival grounds from 4-7 p.m., serenading Village-goers with a variety of ethnic tunes.
     At 7, the Amish Outlaws arrived at the Lions Bandshell in a fire truck and immediately captivated the crowd. Playing a range of music from country to rap to rock to pop, there was something for everyone. And the dance floor was filled from the first song until the last note was played. The lawn was filled with folks who were clapping and singing along.
    The Village continues tonight (Thursday) for the final day of the ethnic food and entertainment festival. Gates open at 3 p.m. and festivities continue until 9 p.m. This is the last chance to savor your favorite treats and enjoy traditional music and dancing from around the world.
     The Main Stage entertainment schedule is:
     Pravi Rojaki (Austria) - 6 p.m.
     Pittsburgh Slovakians - 6:30 p.m.
     FAAP Dancers (Phillipines) - 7 p.m.
     Lajkoniki Polish Dancers - 7:30 p.m.
     ​Alpen Schuplattlers - 8 p.m.
     The Lions Bandshell will be filled with polka music by the Mikey Dee Band from 5-9 p.m. Be sure to bring a lawn chair to sit and relax after showing off your dancing prowess.
     The McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center is offering free admission during the Village and the McKeesport Rose Garden is open until 8 p.m. and an indoor craft show goes until 7 p.m.
      Stop by the McKeesport K-9 Unit booth to purchase shirts to support the unit and the Carnegie Free Library of McKeesport to purchase gently used books. Aside from being open to visitors, the Heritage Center also has a booth at the festival, where a variety of items, including tickets to the annual Living History Tour at McKeesport & Versailles Cemetery, can be purchased.
    Once again, two Casturo Family Educational Achievement Awards - one for $500 and one for $250 - will be awarded tomorrow night (Thursday) in a random drawing. Applications are available at the McKeesport Lions Club booth, which offers hand-dipped ice cream. The awards are open to anyone seeking a post-high school degree at a college, trade school or technical school.

                                                                                                             Story and Photos by Carol Waterloo Frazier

MENUS

     For many people who attend International Village, the food is the main attraction. This year, 16 nationalities will offer some of their traditional food to this year's festival-goers. 

AUSTRALIA 

   Kangaroo sliders with tomato chutney, sweet potato fries, apple and celery coleslaw

   Leg of lamb, roasted seasoned mixed potatoes, apple and celery coleslaw

   Meat pies (pocket pastry with beef in a savory gravy)

   Lamington (sponge cake in chocolate)

   Tim Tams (2 melted biscuits separated by a light chocolate cream filling, coated in a thin layer of textured chocolate)
AUSTRIA

   Funnel cakes with toppings - $11

   Corn dogs - $6

   Apple/Cherry strudel - $4

   Pretzels - $6

   Lemonade - $5 and $7

CROATIA

   Sarma (stuffed cabbage), kielbasa with sauerkraut, hot dogs, pierogis, haluski, Croatian potato salad, palacinke (crepe with apricot, raspberry, Nutella or cheese filling), medenjaci (honey cake), cevap
FRANCE

    Fried vegetables, french fries, funnel cake, lemonade

GERMANY

    Sauerkraut balls, German pretzels, haluska, pierogies, bratwurst, knockwurst, potato pancakes, lemonade

GHANA (African American)

   Dinners (includes 2 side dishes):  

   Southern Fried Wings (4 wings per dinner) - $16

   Barbecue Ribs (3-4 bones per dinner) - $21

   Barbecue Pigs Feet (2 feet per dinner) - $15

   A La Carte:  

   Southern Fried Wings - 6 for $12

   Barbecue Rib Sandwich (3 bones) - $13

   Half Slab of Barbecue Ribs - $18

   Slab of Barbecue Ribs - $28

   Barbecue Pigs Feet (2 feet) - $10

   Sides Dishes:

   Southern Tenders (collard greens) - $5

   Red Rice - $5

   Hoppin Johns (red beans and rice) - $5

   Macaroni and Cheese - $5

   Daily Specials:

   Baked Beans (w/turkey) - $5

   Corn on the Cob - $3

   Potato Salad - $5

   Sauce on the Side:

   Melted Butter (Plain, Cajun or Garlic) - $1

   Barbecue Sauce - $1

   Bread:

   Corn Bread or White Bread - $2

   Dessert:

   Sweet Potato Pie - $4 slice, $16 whole

GREECE

   Gyros, pork souvlaki, spanakopita, tiropita, honey balls, grape leaves, pastitsio, baklava, finikia 

HAWAII - Hawaiian Shave Ice, fruit smoothies, pulled pork, pig wings, deep fried Oreos, deep fried cheesecake, deep fried PB&J, Hawaiian chicken sandwich, fish sandwich

ITALY 

    Stuffed banana peppers, gnocchi, meat balls, Italian beef, Italian provolone wheel, hot sausage
LEBANON

   Gyro Sandwich - $12

   Chicken shawarme sandwich - $12

   Falafel sandwich - $10

   French fries - $7

    Stuffed grapeleaves - 4 for $6

   Spinach pie - $7

   Spinach pie with feta - $7

   Meat pie - $7

   Hummous dip - $7

   Baba gannouj dip - $7

   Tabbouleh salad - $7

   Pita bread (5 pieces) - $2

   Baklava - $5/square

   Apricot roll - $3

   Chocolate almond roll - $3

   Lemonade - Small, $4; Large, $7

MEXICO

    Tacos (beef, pork, chicken), quesadillas (pork, chicken, beef), churros, street corn,  Aguas Frescas  

 PHILIPPINES

    Main:

    Lumianitos (chicken spring roll) 

    Lumpiang gulay (vegetable spring roll) 

    Empanada de Manila (chicken turnover) 

    Inihaw na Manok (grilled chicken) 

    Pancit Bihon (stir fried noodles) 

    Adobo Rice Bowl (braised chicken on rice)

    Eggplant Adobo Rice Bowl

    Kanin (rice)

    Combo: Inihaw na Manok (grilled chicken) or Pancit, Lumpianitos (5 pieces)

    Dessert:

    Turon (fried banana Wrap)

    Leche Flan 

    Biko (rice cake)

​    Ube Pan De Sal (purple yam bread)

    Pan De Coco (bread sweetened w/grated coconut)

    Drinks:

    Melon Juice (canteloupe drink) 

    Calamansi Juice with Honey (Filipino lemonade)

​POLAND

    Pierogies (6 flavors), stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, haluski

SWEDEN

    Apple dumplings, ice cream, Swedish waffles, desserts
TAIWAN

  Chicken-on-a-stick, shrimp fried rice, veggies rice or noodles, orange chicken, General Tso chicken, egg roll, lemonade or strawberry lemonade

VIETNAM

   Chicken-on-a-stick, shrimp fried rice, veggies rice or noodles, egg roll, lemonade or strawberry lemonade

LIONS ICE CREAM

    Assorted hand-dipped flavors 

Not only are there a variety of food booths, there are several hosted by local organizations including the McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center, left, McKeesport Little Theater, center, and the Carnegie Free Library of McKeesport, right.

ENTERTAINMENT

Entertainment from around the world will be presented each day at two locations. Each night there will be entertainment at the Lion's Bandshell and on the Main Stage. Fireworks are planned Tuesday night. 

TUESDAY
MAIN STAGE

Sara Deroy (Lebanese Bellydancer) - 6 p.m.

ABC by JoAnn (Hawaiian) - 6:30 p.m.

Rankin Junior Tamburitzans (Croatian) - 7 p.m.

​Grecian Odessey Dancers - 7:30 p.m.

INTRODUCTION OF OFFICIALS - 8 p.m.

Otets Paiissi Bulgarian Dancers - 8:15 p.m.

FIREWORKS (weather permitting) 

LIONS BANDSHELL

Kolo with Zabava - 5-9 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

Mikey Dee & Gypsy George Batyi Strolling - 4-7 p.m.

LIONS BANDSHELL
Amish Outlaws - 7 p.m.
 
THURSDAY
MAIN STAGE
Pravi Rojaki (Austria) - 6 p.m.

Pittsburgh Slovakians - 6:30 p.m.

FAAP Dancers (Phillipines) - 7 p.m.
Lajkoniki Polish Dancers - 7:30 p.m.

​Alpen Schuplattlers - 8 p.m.

LIONS BANDSHELL
Polka with Mikey Dee Band - 5-9 p.m.

Above, Patrick Fisher, left, and Mikey Dee, entertain the crowd between performances. The Allegheny County Police Mounted Patrol Unit, center, enjoyed the park. At right, McKeesport Mayor Tommy Maglicco presented the Key to the City to Tom Rosso.

The Amish Outlaws offered the crowd a high-energy performance of songs from a variety of genres and got people on the dance floor with the first song of the evening.

Fireworks, accompanied by music lit up the sky to close the opening night of the 66th International Village. The ethnic food and entertainment festival continues Wednesday and Thursday beginning at 3 p.m. on Jimmy Long Field in McKeesport's Renziehausen Park.

The Rankin Jr. Tamburitzans performed a variety of traditional Croatian songs.

Lebanese bellydancer Sara Deroy opened Tuesday's entertainment to the delight of Village-goers. She was accompanied by Danielle for a few dances. 

Fr. Dave Urban, left, a dancer with Otets Paissi Bulgarian Dancers, joins Gypsy George Batyi, center, and Mikey Dee who strolled through the festival playing a variety of ethnic tunes.

Long-time festival performers, the Grecian Odyssey Dancers, offered an energetic tour of Greece.

The Prince and Prince crowned at the Village for Kids on Monday received their bikes and helmets Tuesday night. Above is Princess Laila Jean Martin with her mom, Kelly Phillips, left, and aunt, Michelle Martin Doonan. Juan Gabriel Inca, right, is this year's Prince.

OVERVIEW

     An event 65 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. 18-20 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) from 3-9 p.m. on Jimmy Long and Dom Schettino fields in McKeesport’s Renziehausen Park along Eden Park Boulevard. There is no admission this year because of corporate 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 16 nationalities will share their heritage with Village-goers and the Lions' Club will offer hand-dipped ice cream.
    Ethnic entertainment will again be featured each day on the Main Stage and the Lions Bandshell (See Schedule Below). 
     Parking will be available behind Fire Station No. 2, the McKeesport Regional History and Heritage Center (which will be open during festival hours) and other lots in the area of the park. Handicapped parking will remain in the lot adjacent to the dek hockey rink (Gate 4). A shuttle will be available for those with limited mobility. 
     Not only is the setting new, the booths also are new. New white 20x20-foot high top tents replaced the black metal booths. The tents will provide a larger area for the vendors.

     There are two large tents - one designated for seating for diners and one for dancing.

     There are two bonus attractions this year. The McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center located adjacent to the festivities will be open during festival hours with free admission. Also, the Rose Garden will be open until 8 p.m. and there will be a craft sale inside until 7 p.m. all three evenings.

     This year's Village committee is:

     Mayor Tommy Maglicco

     Keith Soles - Chairman/Council Representative

     Dan Carr - Director/Event Coordinator

     Annette James - Secretary

     Kim Carr - Field Office Manager

     Bobby Billsborrow - Personnel Director

     Tony Ura - Customer Relations

     Marie Domingo - Customer Transportation

     Tom Rosso - Logistics

     Colin Clarke - Sanitation

     Margaret Garrahy - Soft Drink Vending

     Sharon Soles - Greeter/Volunteer Coordinator

     Mikey Dee - Entertainment Coordinator

     Patrick Fisher - Stage Manager/Master of Ceremonies

     Allison Piccolino - Village for Kids

​     Jason Togyer - Publicity        

Kolo dancers showed off their talent as Zabava performed at the Lions Bandshell.

August 18, 2026

The folks at the Australia booth offer Village-goers some traditional food, including Tim Tams. Swededn, the popular bell-ringing booth, offers a festival favorite - apple dumplings.

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.

VILLAGE FOR KIDS

     The 17th annual Village for Kids will be Monday, Aug. 17 from 12-3 p.m. at the Blue Top Pavilion in Renziehausen Park. This is a free event. Adult supervision is recommended for children age 6 and younger.
   Festivities will include food, family activities, games, music, a foam party, and a photo booth. A Prince and Princess will be crowned at 2:30 p.m.; they must be there to win.

     The day's schedule is:

     Noon-3 p.m.: Music, food gallery (hot dogs, chips, cookie, drinks, fruit snacks), screenings/information/crafts/game tables/foam party, surprise visits throughout the day from the Pirate Parrot, Woody from "Toy Story" (made possible by Nuttall Public Safety Equipment LLC) and Minion (made possible by PGH Party Creations)

     Noon-2 p.m.: Registration table for "A Village for Kids" Day Prince and Princess. Winners will each receive a 20-inch bike and helmet (donated by the McKeesport Trail Commission). Bikes will be presented on the Main Stage at International Village.

     2:30 p.m. (center of the Blue Top): Announcements/Pictures and crowning of the Prince and Princess   

    The following groups are part of this year's Village for Kids: 
MHCP Youth Logic Model in sponsorship with: 

State Senator Nick Pisciottano

​McKeesport Mayor Tom Maglicco 

Nuttall Public Safety Equipment LLC 
Human Services Center Mon Valley 

Allegheny County Health Department - WIC Program

Allegheny Intermediate Unit's East Allegheny Family Center

Boys and Girls Club Teen Center

Goodwill's Adult Career Services Program 
PA American Water 
Dental Care Managers with UPMC for You 

Auberle Foster Care 

McKeesport Area Shared Ministry - Christy Park

McKeesport-White Oak Kiwanis

McKeesport Trail Commission 
McKeesport Area School District - Community Outreach 
McKeesport Police Department 
McKeesport Fire Department 
McKeesport Ambulance Rescue Services 

McKeesport International Village 

See Clear/Mon Valley Arts 
Devereux TCV 

City of McKeesport  
Latterman Family Health Center 

McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center 
Mission AGAPE

Mon Valley Arts

Penn State Greater Allegheny 

McKeesport Lions Club 

Fund My Future PGH 

Allegheny County Office of Family & Child Health 

​​Women for a Healthy Environment 

Mon Valley Independent 

UPMC Rehabilitation Institute 

​McKeesport Housing Authority

Altrusa International Club of McKeesport

PA State Police

Pittsburgh Regional Transit

Rep. Dan Goughnour Office

Rep. John Inglis Office

The Otets Paissi Bulgarian Dancers entertained the crowd with a variety of traditional dances. 

August 20, 2026