Ukrainian Historical and Educational Center of New Jersey Represented at Franklin Day Festival
UHEC Represented at Franklin Day Festival

UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA

CONSISTORY OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

PRESS RELEASE

 

Ukrainian Historical and Educational Center of New Jersey Represented at Franklin Day Festival

 

Live music, vendors, artists, craftspeople, dance performances, great food, children’s activities and more entertained attendees at the Franklin Day Festival on Saturday, September 20, 2014 in the beautiful, scenic Colonial Park in Somerset, NJ.

Mrs Natalia Honcharenko, director of the Ukrainian Historical and Educational Center of New Jersey along with the archivist of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Dr. Michael Andrec represented the Metropolia’s Center at the event.

"This year’s premier event had a little something for everyone -- from music lovers to art lovers,” said Councilwoman Rozalyn Sherman, and Arts Council founder. “The Arts Council’s motto is ‘Bringing Our Community Together through the Arts.’ It’s a festival that appeals to many different interests.”

The event featured family-friendly, upbeat music to get the crowd moving and dancing, as well as a variety of entertainment for all ages including face painters, a caricaturist, mimes who posed for photos with children and families, and a wide selection of food. To keep children busy and happy, the festival had games and crafts as well as a fire truck, police car and ambulance to explore. Attendees also enjoyed kickboxing, Zumba, salsa and karate demonstrations, as well as instructional performances from Ginger Haithcox dance school, Modern Motion, and a performance from BAMSOPA Disney Dance Showcase Ensemble.

Thanks to Township Manager Bob Vornlocker, the township hosted a tent with representatives from Franklin’s various municipal departments as part of its outreach effort to the community. Festival attendees were able to get a free drink at the Red Bull truck or visit the St. Peter's University Hospital mobile health unit.

Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel paid a visit to the festivities of the day, participating in a mobile Health Screening event, meeting various vendors of ecclesiastical fabric and community outreach programs, and most importantly visiting the tent of the Ukrainian Historical and Educational Center of New Jersey.

The tent brought various visitors throughout the day, exposing the visitors, especially children, to the Arts & Crafts of Ukrainian Ethnic origin. Through the interactive programs offered by the staff of the UHEC many visitors learned about Ukrainian cultural, music instruments, history, - especially in the days of political uncertainty.

“As a Church with its national headquarters based in Somerset for many years, we are proud to support the Franklin Day Festival as both a sponsor and by taking an role in planning the event through the staff of the Ukrainian Historical and Educational Complex of NJ…” – mentioned in his conversations with the visitors to the event the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA.

The Arts Council has produced such local events as photo exhibits, several events commemorating the 150th Emancipation Proclamation Anniversary, poetry readings, artist and crafter displays at the Franklin library, and Doo Wop and jazz concerts.

To learn more about the Ukrainian Historical and Educational Complex of NJ visit http://www.ukrhec.org/

Photos by Lev Khmelkovsky

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South Bound Brook, NJ 08880

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