Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. Is Celebrating Two Outdoor Events On One Great Day
Kielbasi Festival and Heritage Day Slated May 17, 2025
Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. (DSI) is holding its annual Kielbasi Day/Heritage Day event on Saturday, March 17, 2025. Main Street in Downtown, Shenandoah will be full of excitement and activity as the community celebrates Kielbasi Festival and Heritage Day from 10am – 4pm. The festival opens with the annual Parade of Nations sponsored by Explore Schuylkill at 10 am. Thousands of visitors will travel to Shenandoah for the one-day event.
Three Blocks of Vendors
Shenandoah hometown legends, Kowalonek’s Kiebasey Shop, Lucky’s Kielbasi Shop, and Mrs. T’s Pierogies will attend and have their iconic kielbasy and pierogi favorites on hand. Local businesses and restaurants will also be open to serve the crowd. Food trucks and vendors from different parts of the country are traveling to Shenandoah providing a wonderful variety of food, beverages, and desserts during the day. Arts and crafts vendors will sell their wares.
Parade of Nations Opens the Festival
The annual Parade of Nations sponsored by Explore Schuylkill, kicks off the festival at 10am led by local high school marching bands. The unique parade celebrates and showcases all the different ethnicities that now call Shenandoah and Schuylkill County, home. “Parade participants wear their country’s colors, decorate floats, and carry flags. First responders, The Color Guard, government officials, area musicians, and the 2025 Grand Marshal will parade through town.
“Everyone is welcome to represent their country and organization,” explained Annie Taylor, DSI Promotion Committee Chairperson “Join us, celebrate, and honor your heritage. If you aren’t sure what your heritage is and want to be a part of the parade, let us know because after all, America is a proud melting pot and we have a place in the lineup for you,” she added.
Opening Ceremonies In Veterans Memorial Park Annual Tradition
After the parade, the festival opens with an introduction and welcome in the Memorial Park next to the Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. office. Musical entertainment, sponsored by The Schuylkill Area Community Foundation and Vito Rinaldi Chevrolet is planned throughout the day including polka music led by The Shenandoah All Stars Polka Band, a Kielbasi Festival tradition.
Commemorative T-Shirt Fundraiser Collector's Favorite
A Kielbasi Festival/Heritage Day fun tradition is the commemorative t-shirts that DSI sells during the festival. "Long-time and new festival fans enjoy collecting our t-shirts featuring the Kielbasil folks on the front and a list of sponsors on the back. "A special thanks goes out to our friends at SAM for the major t-shirt sponsorship, and all of our wonderful sponsors," said Mary Luscavage, DSI acting executive director and board secretary. She explained that this annual festival depends on sponsors to plan a successful community event. "Stop by the DSI table right in front of the future CEBA building to purchase the 2025 commemorative t-shirt and say, hi!"
Call DSI @ 570-462-2060 Today For Your Vendor Registration Packet and Secure Your Space.
