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First Posted: 9/26/2012

JERMYN – “Unbelievable prices.” “Best in the area.” “Good track record.”

Organizers of St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church parish festival, Christmas in September, can’t rave enough about their event. It will be held inside and outside of St Michael’s Center, Jermyn, Sept. 26 to 28.

Festivities include antiques and collectibles, a classic car show and a l performance from local country star Dani-elle.

“This is our third year of Christmas in September, and it seems every year it’s getting bigger and more popular for the community,” said archpriest Rev. John Kowalczyk. “What we want to do is open this up to the community so it becomes a major happening. The hall will be stocked with nearly a million dollars worth of goods.”

Rev. John Perich, who grew up with Kowalczyk in Yonkers, N.Y., will sell collectibles, jewelry, and Christmas gifts from around the world from his own business called Father John’s World Treasures. He became internationally known when he used to work for QVC.

“I’m appealing to people of all different ethnic backgrounds,” said Perich. “I know if they come here for the festival, they will get unbelievable prices that will not be able to get in local department stores.”

St. Michael’s is hiring a caterer to provide festivalgoers with homemade Russian and Ukrainian foods such as pierogies, Italian sausage, porketta sandwiches, kielbasa sandwiches, sopressata and clam chowder for sale, along with potato pancakes and hot wing pierogies .

“The hallmark of our church is our homemade pierogies,” said Kowalczyk. “They’re the best in the area.”

“The festival will have two tents with ten-foot tables for people to sit and enjoy the food.

“The food that’s brought in and the good that we prepare are excellent,” said hall manager George Petorak. “We have a good track record of foods and everything we sell. We ride on tradition.”

One of the main festivities is a classic car show Sunday. Cars displayed will include muscle cars such as Chevelles, Camaros, Pontiacs and Impalas from the 1950s and 60s. Motorcycles will also be featured. Dan Kitchura, in charge of the car show, hopes to have more than 100 vehicles displayed. Last year, there were 50 to 70.

“I think the event has grown every year,” said Kitchura. “We seem to reach people farther away. I have people coming from Avoca, Moosic, so it’s stretching out pretty quickly.” Anyone with a vehicle to display in the show, can call Dan at 570.876.4610.

Entertainment will be provided by country singer and member of St. Michael’s Center Dani-elle who will perform Christmas tunes and original songs such as “Dream Big” and “Country Broke” from her album. “God blessed me with he talent that I have and it’s an absolute honor that I can come out and share it with the community, especially my church family, ” she said.

DJ Greg Bertholf will also provide musical entertainment.

Church president Joe Krenitsky, president for more than 35 years, has been supporting this event through the church committee. “I’m hoping for a nice day,” he said.

Rev. Kowaczyk calls Christmas in September a social event for the area. “We’re expecting thousands of people for the weekend,” he said. “Someday, we’ll come close to the Italian festival in Scranton. It’s the ultimate holiday festival. We have something for everyone.”

Ample parking and handicapped-accessible parking is available.


Want to go?

Christmas in September

Sept. 26, 4- 8p.m.; Sept. 27, 9 a.m. – 7p.m.; Sept. 28, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

St. Michael’s Center

403 Delaware St.,

Jermyn, PA 18433


DID YOU KNOW?

* The word ‘pierogi’ is literally translated as ‘pie’ in most Slavic languages.

* Matryoshka dolls, Russian nestling dolls, were based on similar dolls made in Japan.

* Ded Moroz, whose name means “Grandfather Frost” is a Slavic fictional character similar to Santa Claus.