August 15, 1914, the 1st Lithuanian Day was held at Lakeside Park in Barnesville. It was organized by the Lithuanian Catholic Priests League. During those early festival years most attendees had to take the train & arrived at the Lakeside station pictured below (photo courtesy of Anthracite Coal Region of Northeastern Pennsylvania).
In 1922, Lithuanian Day moved to nearby Lakewood Park where it remained for over 60 years 'til the park closed in 1984. The festival was then held at Rocky Glen Park in Moosic 'til it closed in 1987. Now, the Schuylkill Mall is home to Lithuanian Day.
Before the end of WW2, Lithuanian Day was held on August 15th. The mines would close on that day which was also a Feast Day celebrating the Assumption of Mary. We're told early festivals were often rowdy & extended into the wee hours--keeping with the rough & tumble tradition of the coal region. Many said it was like having St. Patty's Day during the middle of summer. After WW2, Lithuanian Day was held on the Sunday closest to August 15th.
Lithuanian Day at the Schuylkill Mall has grown into a 2 day celebration of culture, cuisine, song & dance. Saturday 11-5 & Sunday 12 noon-4 enjoy traditional Lithuanian foods (Cold Beet Soup (Saltibarsciai), Potato Pudding (Kugelis,), Meatballs (Kotletai), Lithuanian Sausage, (Desros) Potato Pierogies (Koldunai su Bulviu Idaru), Stuffed Cabbage (Balandeliai) Fresh Dill Pickles (Agurkas), & Sweet Sauerkraut Salad (Saldus Rauginti Kopūstai Salotos).
There will be Lithuanian music, displays, demonstrations, & boilo taste testing. The Knights of Lithuania Anthracite Council 144 has been the prime sponsor of Lithuanian Day since 1977 & has done an excellent job keeping this rich coal region ethnic tradition alive. Visit: http://kofl144.weebly.com/100th-annual-lithuanian-days.html
We're sure many of you can offer great Lithuanian Day memories. Do you remember the year you first attended a Lithuanian Day festival? Please SHARE this post with Lithuanian friends & relatives who may live beyond the coal region.
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