Pete Pavlichich of Austintown and Steve Majetich of Poland prepare meat at the Serbian Day Picnic at Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church in Youngstown.

YOUNGSTOWN — On the last Sunday in July, members of Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church come together for a day of fellowship and celebration of Serbian culture and heritage.

This year’s event, which marked 90 years, was a picnic on the lawn with food, games and music.

Mike Andjelkovich of Austintown, event chairman, said the food and music are very popular. He said the barbecued lamb is enjoyed as is a grilled sausage with a combination of lamb, pork and beef. Also liked are homemade doughnuts.

He said the original picnic began in the early 1930s and was at Idora Park.

“The Serbian immigrants who came from Yugoslavia would gather at Idora Park for the picnic. It was then decided to hold it at the church grounds. The picnic is held every year except in 2020,” Andjelkovich said.

He said the day lets the public see the Serbian culture and also brings back local residents who now live out of state in Arizona, Pennsylvania and Florida.

“Many people come back to Ohio this weekend for the event. It is nice to see the families get together and to see people you don’t see often. We had a liturgy in the morning and now people come to the picnic to relax,” Andjelkovich said.

The Rev. Bosko Stojanovic, pastor of the church, said the event allows for showing the old traditions of the church.

“We want to be part of the community and can do this by sharing our culture and traditions with other people,” he said.

BACK FROM FLORIDA

Jim and Leslie Lapolla of St. Petersburg, Florida, came back for the event and are spending time with Nick and Joann Mitovich of Youngstown, members of the church.

“Every year my wife and I try to be here for the Serbian picnic. My mother was Serbian Orthodox and my father Roman Catholic so I was raised in two churches. I have been at this picnic since I was 5 years old. I remember when it was held at Idora Park. My mother and father’s relatives still live in the Youngstown and Poland areas,” Jim Lapolla said.

He said they return to Youngstown and stay with cousins

Lapolla said his grandfather, Jon Mitovich, helped build the church.

Nick Mitovich said the event brings families together.

“It’s a main fundraiser in the summer. This is always a fun event and helps support the church,” he said.

Joann Mitovich said the event carries on the Serbian traditions and customs.

“It is an event that brings many families together,” she said.

Nick Hrelec of Campbell said he and other people’s grandparents came to the United States years ago and helped build the church.

“It’s nice that there are younger generations here and young kids attending. The younger generations are starting to stay around here and helping to carry on the traditions,” Hrelec said.

Music was provided by Orkestar Zabava of Pittsburgh.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com