SHENANDOAH - It did not take long for the lines to form at the food stands Saturday at the annual Kielbasi Festival in the borough.
The seventh annual event sponsored by Downtown Shenandoah Inc. ran from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. within two blocks on North Main Street. The celebration of Eastern European heritage featured 70 vendors and thousands of people enjoying traditional foods like halupki, halushki, bundukies, babka and, of course, kielbasi.
"You say Shenandoah to people and right away they think kielbasi," Main Street Manager Mary Luscavage said.
The festival has continued to grow each year and Luscavage said the event will probably have to expand to three blocks next year. She attributed the success to the food, music and rich cultural heritage in the area.
"I think it's just different," she said. "There are so many people here with Eastern European backgrounds, it brings them back to their roots."
People danced to music by the Shenandoah All-Star Polka Band and also enjoyed more traditional American food like pulled pork sandwiches, rib eye steak, hot dogs, hamburgers and funnel cakes. But the longest lines Saturday were for Shenandoah's three "Kielbasi Kings" - Michael Stanakis of Capital Food Market, Mark Kowalonek of Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop and David Lukashunas of Lucky's Corner Deli and Kielbasi Shop.
"It's a lot of work, but we have a good community and that's what today is about," Lukashunas said. "Events like this bring people together."
Lukashunas was trying out a new food item Saturday called the Polska Pocket, which is basically a stromboli stuffed with kielbasi. He said people come from all over to get meat products in Shenandoah.
"It's an art that's lost and we are the few people who do it," he said. "We enjoy it. If you don't enjoy what you do, there's no reason to do it."
Another familiar food was being served Saturday was Mrs. T's Pierogies. Ateeco Inc., maker of Mrs. T's Pierogies, operates in Shenandoah.
"It's nice to see an event like this draw people from all over," Wayne Holben, Ateeco public relations director, said. "It gives people a chance to see what this area is all about."
The annual homemade kielbasi contest had 14 contestants, including two new people. Judged by the three "Kielbasi Kings," the contest has first- and second-place honors in two categories: fresh and smoked. Each winner received a trophy with a golden pig on top.
Brian Bolich, Gordon, and Tom Tipak, Lansford, won first and second, respectively, in the fresh category. Tom Zajak, McAdoo, and Brian Turton, Tamaqua, won first and second, respectively, in the smoked category.
Pat Scarpati, Hazleton, was enjoying the festival for the first time Saturday with the rest of her family. Originally from Hometown, her son, Jerome Scarpati, said they made sure to attend the event this year to see what they have been hearing so much about.
"The kielbasi was great," Jerome Scarpati said.
Pat Scarpati said she enjoyed celebrating her Polish heritage and will definitely be back next year.
"Everyone comes here for the food," she said.