International Village Brings Familiar Faces, Fun

Lt. Gov. Davis: Annual event is ‘what McKeesport is really about’

By Adam Reinherz
The Tube City Almanac
August 15, 2024
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Joanne Dorazio and family from White Oak attend International Village all three nights “and eat our way through.” (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis said Wednesday he wished that every reporter in Pittsburgh was at Renziehausen Park in McKeesport to attend the city’s 64th International Village.

“I wish I could get every news camera in the Pittsburgh region here at International Village to cover this,” said Davis, a McKeesport resident and McKeesport Area High School alumnus. “Oftentimes they cover the bad things that happen in McKeesport, and there are so many more good people and good things that happen here. Oftentimes they don't tell that story and this is an example for people to see up close and personal what McKeesport is really about.”

Familiar faces came to a familiar place on Wednesday evening, as community members and elected officials descended on Renziehausen Park for the second day of the 2024 International Village. Founded in 1960, the annual ethnic festival — complete with food, music and dancing — draws thousands in search of summer fun.

Tube City Online is providing live coverage each night from 5:30 to 9 p.m. via YouTube.

McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko and Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)

Mark and Sandy Kolosvary from North Huntingdon Twp. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)

Mark and Sandy Kolosvary have attended International Village for 35 years. “It's a tradition,” Mark Kolosvary said. Part of the allure, he added, is that it “draws an older crowd who hasn't seen each other for a while.”

Joanne Dorazio said she’s attended every International Village since its inception. The reason why the White Oak resident keeps coming back, and bringing her family, is because “you get to see people,” she said.  “We come all three nights and eat our way through.”

International Village continues today. Gates open at 3 p.m. and nearly 20 food and refreshment booths are open until 9 p.m. Dancing begins at 5 p.m. in the Jakomas Blue-Top Pavilion with a performance by Richie Zebrowski's Freestyle, and entertainment on the main stage gets underway at 6 p.m.

Admission is $2. Parking at McKeesport Area High School is free. Visitors should enter through the gate on University Drive, where McKeesport police are directing traffic, or through a handicapped-accessible gate near the dek-hockey court.

(Vickie Babyak photos for Tube City Almanac)

Austrian funnel cakes, Croatian stuffed cabbage and Greek spinach pies were among this year’s menu items. Booths boasting food, representing more than 15 nationalities, lined the park.

“Probably, there's something to eat for everybody,” North Versailles resident Alana Ferretti said.

“I think the food's overpriced, but I don't mind giving back to the community,” North Versailles resident Assad Allen said.

Allen grew up in McKeesport and said he remembers attending the festival every year. Coming back is a good way to “see a lot of childhood friends,” he said.

Allen hopes others make their way to International Village and enjoy the fun. “To a lot of people, McKeesport has a bad image in Pittsburgh, of being a dangerous neighborhood. But I have not ever heard of anything ever happening here at International Village my entire life,” Allen said.

Alpen Musikanten, sponsored by the Austrian booth, opened main stage entertainment on Thursday. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)

Stage Manager Patrick Fisher served as Wednesday’s master of ceremonies while bandleader Mikey Dee performed in the Jakomas Blue-Top Pavilion. Dee will return to the stage on Thursday. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)

Davis said he thinks he’s attended the event every year of his life.

The lieutenant governor, who attended this year’s festival with his wife, Pennsylvania’s second lady, Blayre Holmes, and their infant daughter, Harper, likened the event to a window.

“It gives you an opportunity to view McKeesport in a different way, through a different light, and really get a sense of the community and really what McKeesport is all about,” he said. “It's about family, it's about community, it's about faith. And International Village embodies all that and puts it all on display.”

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, wife Blayre Holmes, and their daughter, Harper, attended International Village on Wednesday night. (Vickie Babyak photo for Tube City Almanac)

Adam Reinherz is a Pittsburgh-based writer. He can be reached at adam.reinherz@gmail.com. Vickie Babyak is a Dravosburg-based writer and photographer. She can be reached at vbabyak@yahoo.com.

Originally published August 15, 2024.

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