Seattle Center Festál: CroatiaFest Set for 10/7

Seattle Center Festál: CroatiaFest, 12 p.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct 7, in Seattle Center Armory, explores the cultural roots and contemporary influences of Croatia through live performances, cultural displays, hands-on activities, foods, and a lively marketplace.

Acclaimed dance ensembles and musicians, intricate costumes, art exhibits, genealogy workshops, kids activities, tourist information and displays showcase Croatia’s rich past and dynamic present. The theme this year is Croatian-American entrepreneurs in business and industry. Festival highlights include:

Croatian food booths featuring Sarma (cabbage rolls), Povitica (sweet walnut rolls), Pala?inke (crepes), grilled ?evap?i?i (a type of grilled kebab) and Lignje (calamari).
Cooking demonstrations by Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Chef-in-Residence John Sarich.
· Panel discussion on invention, innovation and entrepreneurship featuring Cornelia Devlin, owner of The Deadliest Catch’s “Cornelia Marie” and Tesla enthusiast Tom Saxton.

Tesla Roadster on display in the Armory.
Continuous Croatian entertainment throughout the day on two stages with guest groups Hrvatska Loza of Chicago and Boško Cikli? of Los Angeles.
Local performing artists: Vela Luka Croatian Dance Ensemble, Radost, Dave and The Dalmatians, Klapa DooWapella, Seattle Junior Tamburitzans.
· Pictorial biographical exhibit highlighting well known Croatian inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs.

Souvenirs, t-shirts and imports from Croatia.
Author’s Corner featuring “Run­ning Away to Home” by Jennifer Wilson, “Along the Cork Line” by Gary Keister, and “Croatian Fishing Families of Ana­cortes” by Bret Lunsford.

The 20 Seattle Center Festál cultural celebrations highlight The Common forms of tradition and expression among ethnic communities in the Pacific Northwest, while underscoring their unique creative contributions, customs, foods and ideals. Each event offers moving entertainment and fascinating insight into a different culture of the world.

CroatiaFest is part of The Next Fifty at Seattle Center. The Festival is produced by the CroatiaFest Committee in partnership with Seattle Center. For a full event schedule, visit www.croatiafest.org, and for more information on this cultural series and other Seattle Center public programming, click on www.seattlecenter.com or call 206 684-7200.