This cultural event, which connects ethnology, culture, arts, and people from all over Europe, has been celebrated in Slovenia for the past 50 years. The central figure of the carnival, the Kurent, is believed to chase away winter and usher in spring with its supernatural powers. Last year, over 2,000 people attended the first annual Cleveland Kurentovanje and the 2014 celebration promises to be even larger.

Schedule for Cleveland Kurentovanje 2014 is as follows:

11am—Doors Open: Come grab some food, Slovenian donuts (“krofe”), coffee, and shop at Collective Upcycle. Crafts to help children prepare for Kurentovanje will also take place during this time.

Noon—Parade: Parade kicks off traditional Kurentovanje, which will stretch through the neighborhood from St. Vitus Church on Lausche Ave. to the Slovenian National Home on St. Clair. The procession will include Kurents, polka and marching bands, dance groups, and other parading groups in traditional dress from across Eastern Europe. Visitors are encouraged to dress in costume of any kind to celebrate in the Slovenian tradition.

1-6pm—Celebrate: Eat, drink and party at Slovenian National Home. Experience the many different foods, wines, beers, music and dance of Slovenia and Eastern Europe. Several musical and dance acts will perform throughout the day. Attendees can explore the Slovenian National Home, the neighboring Slovenian Museum and Archives, as well as many other storefront businesses in the area, which will feature samplings of food, spirits and music.

6pm-Midnight—After Party: When the Kurentovanje ends, the celebration will move to the official After Party at Sterle’s Country House on East 55th where guests can enjoy schnitzel, polka, and a shot or two of slivovitz.

For more information on the event, please visit www.sterlescountryhouse.com