Grape growing has a long history among those with Slovenian ancestry in Northeast Ohio, so the Slovenian Grape Festival at SNPJ Farm in Kirtland is a fitting tribute to folks with names such as Debevc, Ribic and Trebets who continue with their wineries today.
The Slovenian Grape Festival is Sept. 26 at the property, beginning with a 2:45 p.m. parade of those in traditional Slovenian costumes singing, dancing and polka playing around the grounds spread over wooded acres at the edge of Lake and Geauga counties.
Those who come in Slovenian garb or bring an accordion will be admitted for free. Everyone else 18 years and older pays $8.
SNPJ, which stands for Sloveski Narodna Podporan Jednota in Slovenian, was founded in 1939 as a summer destination for Cleveland-area members of lodges for the Slovene National Benefit Society. According to Joe Valencic, president of the Cleveland Federation of SNPJ Lodges, Cleveland has the largest population of Slovenians in the United States.
Valencic will distribute a song sheet of Slovenian folk songs so those on hand can sing along during the parade. In addition to hosting a Saturday broadcast of music from Slovenia on WINT Radio, Valencic oversees a website showcasing 24 hours of nonstop polka music at PolkaHeaven.com.
The first Grape Festival took place shortly after the 1939 opening. Until last year, when it was canceled because of the pandemic, it had been a lively area tradition.
Despite living in this area for many decades, my first visit to SNPJ Farm was on Sept. 15 when I served as a judge for the Slovenian Sausage Festival.
I was surrounded by happy people, their entire bodies moving to the polka rhythms originating from the pavilion indoors and from impromptu jam sessions at the edge of woods. Couples in the ballroom danced counterclockwise in front of the stage as a dozen polka bands alternated play.
And everyone was eating and drinking from offerings by vendors and a full-service bar.
For the Grape Festival, the Joey Tomsick Orchestra will play from 3 to 7 p.m. for four hours of polka and waltz dancing, while hearty harvest fare such as Slovenian sausages, roast beef and homemade donuts is served.
After the parade, led by accordionist Tony Fortuna, everyone returns to the pavilion, with its rafters decorated with grapevines and branches. Apples and grapes, signifying a successful harvest, are hung from the branches along with candy bars, tempting dancers and others to grab them.
Valencic, who serves as an honorary mayor, will oversee a cadre of volunteer sheriffs lining the dance floor. It is their job to catch those nabbing fruits and bring them before a judge with a makeshift jail in the corner of the dance floor. Those grabbing fruits pay a fine or spend time in jail, where photo opportunities abound.
Find SNPJ Farm at 10946 Heath Road, three miles east of Route 306 off Chardon Road, in Kirtland.
