BY SHERI TRUSTY

The Very Reverend Archpriest Andrew Bartek and the congregation of Holy Assumption Orthodox Church in Marblehead are best known for their annual Blessing of Lake Erie (above) and their popular Halupki Festival, which takes place on Sunday, Aug 21. (Photo by D’Arcy Patrick Egan)

Holy Assumption Orthodox Church in Marblehead will once again host the popular Halupki Festival on Sunday, Aug. 21. Admission is free, and the event, now in its 65th year, will feature traditional Carpatho-Russian dinners and other Eastern European options.

Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 a.m., dinners are available beginning at 11:30 a.m., and Eastern European Ala Carte options are available beginning at 2 p.m.

The Carpatho-Russian dinners include 2 halupki (cabbage rolls), 2 perohi (pierogies), kielbasa, baklava and roll and butter. Eastern European options include halupki, perohi, kielbasa and kraut, bratwurst, halushki (cabbage and noodles) and spanakopita (spinach pie).

During the Halupki Festival, Very Reverend Archpriest Andrew Bartek, the rector priest, will give tours of the historic church, which has ties to Russian Tsar Nicholas II. Holy Assumption is the oldest Orthodox church temple in Ohio.

Visitors can learn about the traditional Easter egg art of Pysanky and enjoy live polka music by the Frank Moravcik Orchestra and Ed Klimczak Band. The Herman Halupki’s Craft Fest will feature over 35 vendors, and children can enjoy face painting, balloon animals and a bounce house.

The Halupki Festival creates one of the most popular events in Marblehead.

“The last couple of years, we’ve approached 2,000 people. For some reason, the last five years, it has exploded,” Bartek said. “We have a small parish, and we get a third of our budget from the event.”

Holy Assumption has less than 30 parishioners, and Bartek said it takes about 80 people to run the event.

“Lots of people from other churches in the village help us. You only see that in a small village like Marblehead,” he said.

Admission to the festival is free, and a shuttle service is available.

“Come early. We’ve been selling out by 3:30 or 4:30, and the event runs until 6,” Bartek said.

Holy Assumption Orthodox Church is at 110. E. Main St., Marblehead. For more information, visit www.holyassumptionmarblehead.org.