FRACKVILLE --There was plenty of yellow, green and red-colored flags and other decorations in and around center court at the Schuylkill Mall Saturday as the 97th annual Lithuanian Days drew a crowd with all types of entertainment, ethnic food and the celebration of heritage and culture.
The longest consecutive ethnic festival in the United States, Lithuanian Days continues today from noon to 4 p.m. with new ethnic dancing groups, including the Gintaras Children Dancers of Mahanoy City.
This year, there are two themes: Lithuanian Folk Art and Lithuanians in Sports. The annual celebration is sponsored by the Knights of Lithuania (KofL) Anthracite Council No. 144.
"I want to welcome you all to the 97th consecutive celebration of Lithuanian Days," said KofL Treasurer Paul Domalakes, after which the U.S. and Lithuanian flags were processed to the center court stage by Pennsylvania Army National Guard Master Sgt. Ronda Fawber and Chris Falcone, who wore the uniform of a Lithuanian freedom fighter.
The Rev. Robert Finlan, pastor of Annunciation BVM, St. Ann and St. Joseph parishes in Frackville, offered the opening prayer, followed by the singing of the national anthems of both countries. The Sensations band provided music before the opening ceremonies and during the afternoon.
Domalakes spoke of the passing of Bernice Mickatavage, Minersville, who died earlier this year, and about her contributions to the annual celebration over many years.
A special guest to the event was Pennsylvania Army National Guard Brig. Gen. Frank Sullivan, who spoke briefly of the fact that Lithuania is not part of NATO and has troops in Afghanistan supporting the war on terror.
Speaking of Lithuanians in sports was Gregory Sacavage, of Mount Carmel, who provided an overview of the importance of sports in Lithuanian culture, especially basketball, including the many ethnic Lithuanians who played sports on local and national levels in both countries. Sacavage noted the great record of wins locally and statewide by the Mount Carmel Area High School football team and how many players were of Lithuanian ancestry.
Genealogy expert Thomas Sadauskas gave a short presentation about tracing family ancestry and how important it is to start as soon as possible.
"Get started now with your genealogy research. People are not getting any younger," said Sadauskas.