John Hucal
Sudbury UNF Vice President
This October 20-21 Sudburys Ukrainian National Federation branch held its annual Yarmarok and the weekend was a grand success! We had Ihor Baczynskyj from Toronto who was our guest MC for the weekend. His wild and hilarious comedy is always a treat for audiences wherever Ihor puts on a show. The Chaika dancers from Hamilton dazzled the audience with their beautiful smiles, costumes and exhilarating dances. Our thanks go to John Bilowus, the Chairman of Chaika, for bringing his group to Sudbury to perform.
Also performing at Yarmarok were the UNF’s own Dnipro Choir, directed by Olia Rohatyn, the Veselka Dance Ensemble, led by instructors John Hucal and Katherine Hucal, and the Ukrainian School of Dance. The latter is broken up into three age groups, led by the following: youngest group – Jennifer Makela, intermediate group – Karen Kruk, oldest group – Kathy Lambert and Steven Waytowich.
Over the two day event many people visited the UNF building at 130 Frood Rd to watch the shows, purchase crafts and baked goods. Even more came to taste our delicious Ukrainian foods: perogies, cabbage rolls, kapusta (sauerkraut), and smokies, among other amazing dishes. Laurie Hucal hosted our famous Kozak coffee Den.
The Saturday Night Cabaret Dinner and Dance was sold out. Thank you to Dan Bilyk and Slawko Hucal for preparing the delicious meal. We also had some very special guests that evening: Greater City of Sudbury Mayor Jim Gordon, MPP Diane Marleau, MPP Rick Bartolucci, UNF National President Roy Kostiuk and UNF National Secretary Les Salnick. They praised in unison our Ukrainian culture and heritage. Mr Kostuk, speaking on behalf of the UNF National Executive called the UNF Sudbury branch our diamond in the north.
After the meal the Chaika Dancers performed their welcome dance Pryvit Sudburys Veselka Dance Ensemble presented a powerful number called Zasvystala, followed by a girls tambourine dance. Ihor Baczynskyj sang some well-known Ukrainian songs like Borshch Riders in the Sky, and Oh How I Lost my Yia-Yia. The Cabaret show was concluded with a traditional Hopak performed by Hamiltons Chaika dancers. After the show, the dancing carried on with music by Zirka. This energetic band had the UNF Hall just a-hopping. The Zirka band includes: Morris Hucal (Accordian/Lead Vocals), Peter Hucal (Guitar/Vocals), John Hucal (Trumpet/Vocals), Katherine Hucal (Alto/Tenor Sax), John Behun (Drums) and Melissa (Olanna) Schaak (Violin).
Special guests were invited on stage to perform with Zirka: Conny Houle (Tambourine/Tenor Sax), Karen Aniol (Violin) and Ivanka Baran (Vocals).
A special thank you to the Yarmarok Chairman, Peter Hucal and his committee: Slawko Hucal, Sonia Hucal, John Hucal, Laurie Hucal, Katherine Hucal, Joe Durkac, Nick Nykilchuk, Jean Nykilchuk, Peter Nykilchuk, Olia Rohatyn, Walter Rohatyn, Roy Markiewich, Helen Pihursky, Julian Maluha and Orest Maluha. Additionally, the committee would like to thank all of the members of the Hall for volunteering behind the bars, serving the food, cooking in the kitchen and performing on stage.
Special thanks to our sponsors who made this weekend possible: Super 8 Hotel (Peter Nykilchuk), Poultons Your Independent Grocer (Mike Poulton), MCTV, Tracks & Wheels, Sudbury Valve & Control, United Steelworkers local 6500, Falconbridge Ltd, Ukrainian Credit Union Sudbury branch, TD bank Frood Rd. branch, Royal Bank 4 Corners branch, Dominick Construction, Olga Perogas, Dnipro Choir, Sudbury UNYF, Shaws Pharmacy, Whiticker Auto Electric, Giant Tiger, Copper Cliff Dairy, Stainless Steel Technologies, Pope Restaurant Supplies, Ace Michelutti, Lougheeds Flowers and Ukrainian Co-op.