66th International Village feels less ‘crowded’ with new layout

Admission is free to this year’s festival, which will continue today and Thursday.

McKeesport’s 66th annual International Village kicked off Tuesday with vendors heating up their fryers and bands strumming their guitars.

This year’s festivities remain at Renziehausen Park, but instead of being held at Stephen Barry Field, the event was spread across Jimmy Long and Schettino fields near the Lions Bandshell. Free admission is being offered this year.

“It has been going extremely well,” Mayor Tommy Maglicco said. “It’s unbelievable. We had it at the field over, and it was controversial to move it, but it’s going well. You don’t feel crowded.”

Maglicco presented longtime electrician and logistics manager for the event Tom Rosso, who is retiring, with the keys to the city. Maglicco said Rosso gives his heart and soul to McKeesport.

According to Maglicco, Rosso and event director/ coordinator Dan Carr were the ones to get the ball rolling to move the festival once Maglicco got grant funding for the event, and so they can get electrical panels in the area.

“We were concerned, especially when it poured down rain on Sunday, but we felt like this was the right move,” Maglicco said. “It’s just made it easier, and we have this huge land that we can now do other things. There’s more things we can do, so it’s exciting.”

The celebration of ethnic cultures continues today and Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. each day.

“Since we moved the whole festival, we moved some of the entertainment and dancing down to the bandshell,” entertainment coordinator Mikey Dee said. “We are getting a lot of great feedback on the new location. It’s amazing that we are able to keep this thing going as long as we’re doing it, and we hope to do it as long as we can.”

Orkestar Zabava was the first act to perform Tuesday. Frank Bozicevic, a Monroeville resident who’s formerly from White Oak, led the band with his accordion.

“Zabava means party, celebration, and it’s mainly Eastern European, so Croatian, Serbian, Bulgarian,” Bozicevic said. “We have played here before, several years ago, and the last time we played there it was under the blue pavilion. We enjoy coming here.”

Belly dancer Sara DeRoy, ABC Dancers by JoAnn and others provided entertainment Tuesday.

From 4 to 7 p.m. today, Mikey Dee and Gypsy Batyi Strolling will be on the main stage, and at 7 p.m. the Amish Outlaws will play at the bandshell.

Menus are subject to change and should be considered “while supplies last.” A wide variety of ethnic food was available Tuesday, including booths representing Ghana, Australia, Hawaii, Lebanon, Taiwan and more.

The McKeesport Area Shared Ministry U.M.C. Beulah Park Campus hosted its stand at the Swedish booth, serving apple dumplings and other treats.

Church member Keith Sandusky of North Versailles said three generations of his family were working at the booth.

“We have been around for many years,” Sandusky said. “My family is one of the oldest families that went to the church. This location is new to us, and it’s different because we designed everything for the booth up there. There is more room here though. This is the 66th year, and I have been to all of them. They used to have parades, and every booth had a float.”

Sandusky’s siblings, Mike Sandusky and Bonnie Sandusky Dick, were recognized at the booth’s International Village Angels sign, which honors deceased members of the church.

Their families are among several sponsors, including the family of the late state Rep. Matt Gergely.

Other booths with informational items included the Carnegie Library of McKeesport, the McKeesport Heritage Center and more.

Marilyn Page and Nancy Crossett of the Heritage Center said they have been coming to the event for as long as they can remember.

Sgt. Anthony LeDonne of the McKeesport Police Department’s K-9 unit was at the department’s booth. They were selling T-shirts and sweatshirts to raise funds for the nonprofit unit.

“We have three dogs right now that are certified in narcotics, and a patrol capacity,” LeDonne said. “Every year, we do a new T-shirt with a new design, and some people come only for the T-shirts. This is our first time at International Village on this side of the park. It used to be on the other side of the park. It’s good and a lot bigger.”

State Rep. Dan Goughnour and state Sen. Nick Pisciottano were at the event Tuesday and said International Village is an important staple of the community.

Several hundred turned out for the event, including Mike Shelly, who said it’s something he looks forward to every year.

“I enjoy coming here every year because I live nearby,” musician Jack O’Neil said. “I always enjoy listening to the music, and I have worked as security at the park and the village for a long time.”

Maglicco pointed out that there is now parking all the way around International Village, and the event has become more accessible.

Maglicco said the festival will keep growing every year, and encourages everyone in the area to visit, especially since it is now free to attend.

“It’s unbelievable. I didn’t know how it was going to turn out, and I was hopeful,” Maglicco said. “This just blows my mind. I will try to hit every booth every single day I’m here. It’s a great event for the whole Mon Valley, and it helps to embrace our great culture we have here in the Mon Valley. All these nationalities coming together, it’s a true melting pot.”