International Village to relocate some activities
The annual celebration in McKeesport’s Renziehausen Park is scheduled for Aug. 18-20.
By THOMAS LETURGEY
For the MVI
Coming off a successful Juneteenth celebration in McKeesport, Mayor Thomas Maglicco is eager to expand upon another of the city’s biggest summer traditions: International Village.
“It has always been a great historical event,” Maglicco said.
McKeesport residents have long embraced their ethnic foods and festivals.
“People come from all over the country for International Village,” he said of the 66th annual event scheduled for Aug. 18-20. “After 65 years, we feel that we can grow International Village with more caveats and new attractions.”
Founded in 1960, International Village, is one of the longest-running community and folk festivals in the Pittsburgh area and one of the only multi-day events that operate during the week.
In its earliest days, International Village was a 10-day celebration held in downtown McKeesport. It was quickly moved to the 16acre Renzie Park the next year and has grown to more than 200 acres.
According to its website, “International Village is entirely run by volunteers, including many of the ethnic churches, temples, and social organizations in the McKeesport region. It annually draws more than 20,000 people to McKeesport’s historic Renziehausen Park.”
It’s also dubbed, “A taste of the world, in your back yard.”
Maglicco announced that International Village will relocate the festival from Stephen Barry Field to Jimmy Long and Dom Schettino Fields to focus on the vaunted “Old Home Week” vibe. Pavilions will be available at a discounted rate for those interested in holding class reunions during the popular event.
Gates open at 3 p.m. each day, with entertainment starting at 6 p.m. and music and dancing until 9 p.m. Thanks to corporate donors, admission is free this year.
The Aug. 18 festivities will open with a program on the main stage and close with a fireworks display. On Aug. 19, a concert featuring Amish Outlaws will take place at the Lions Bandshell at the intersection of Eden Park Boulevard and Tulip Drive. The venue is traditionally the home of the city’s free Summer Concert Series, which still has 16 performances scheduled (weather permitting) through Sept. 7.
Accordion music will be featured as well.
For those who can’t physically make it, much of the activity is broadcast via Tube City Community Media Inc. on YouTube. Renzie Park’s facilities are funded in part by the Allegheny Regional Asset District, as well as the City of McKeesport.
Maglicco said if a concert scheduled before International Village is postponed, the performers may be booked during the afternoon of Rib Fest, set for Sept. 4-7, to make it up for the band and fans alike.
The mayor expects more vendors from local churches to participate this year. While the entire schedule hasn’t been released, in past years, International Village has featured belly dancers, Bulgarian dancers, Junior Tamburitzans, as well as Slovakian, Filipino-American and Polish dancers, just to name a few.
As is tradition, the 17th annual “A Village for Kids” will precede the event. It is set for noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Renziehausen Park bandshell and ballfield.
Maglicco said the “logistics” of the new arrangement will allow for more areas to park, including the use of shuttles.
“Some nights are low, so we want to build momentum to get foot traffic back,” he added. And because of the use of the Lions bandshell, participants will have better access to public restrooms.
“We are modernizing for the next 65 years,” he said.
