Federal Frenzy, Simply Slavic Festivals Will Return

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Two major downtown festivals will return this year, after being forced to cancel the last two years because of the pandemic

Federal Frenzy, a day-long rock festival with a national headliner, will take place April 23, from 2 to 11 p.m.

Simply Slavic, the ethnic celebration, will be June 17-18.

This year’s Federal Frenzy will be much like past ones, with one big exception – all music will be outdoors. That’s a safety measure to thwart the spread of COVID-19, said Jordan Record, an event lead for the festival, which is put on by Youngstown State University’s student-led Penguin Productions.

In the past, live music also took place inside several downtown bars.

The main stage will be on West Federal Street, between Central Square and Phelps Street, where it was located in the past. A second stage will be set up in its usual spot in the water department parking lot.

The Summit Radio will host a third stage on the new Phelps Street pedestrian walkway, Record said.

As in the past, there will also be food trucks, vendors, games and information booths, sponsored by YSU student organizations.

The list of bands, including the headliner, and the performance schedule will be released soon, Record said.

Simply Slavic will also return to its usual spot on East Federal Street.

“We are returning strong with more local and regional musicians, church and restaurant food options, new interactive guest experiences, and evening programming that is unique to any festival in the region,” said John Slanina, president of the festival.

One of those new additions will be the pivski, a European-style outdoor beer garden occupying half of a block on Champion Street. Sponsored by Penguin City Brewing Co., this outdoor drinking and gathering space will host the event’s primary bar and feature a variety of Eastern European brews as well as Penguin City’s own signature ale and light beer. 

Penguin City will bring back its special Simply Slavic label for sale at the festival, said Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki, co-owner.

Simply Slavic will run from 5 to 11 p.m. on June 17 and noon to midnight on June 18.

Admission is $5 (free for children 12 and under).  The schedule of performers will be released in late April.

Sponsorship opportunities as well as food and vendor booth spaces are still available. For information, email [email protected] or call 330 333 1441 for information.

Pictured: Youngstown’s own Happy Hearts Junior Tamburitzans perform at the Simply Slavic Festival in 2019.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.