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Ukrainian culture festival in Apopka changed to rally for support

APOPKA, Fla. — A Ukrainian culture festival planned for the Apopka Amphitheater this weekend is being revamped into a show of solidarity.

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Organizers of the event say many people expected them to cancel the event after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this week, but instead, the war is drawing more people to it.

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The first events on the schedule were supposed to be a cooking demonstration, eating contest, and tug of war.

Instead, Father Roman Kuzminskyi of St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church, led the small crowd at the amphitheater in prayer.

“Church has always been, was, is, and will be with people, and our people have strong faith in difficult times that always turn to God,” Father Kuzminskyi said.

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The crowd made signs that will hang above the performances and speeches at the amphitheater all weekend long.

Halyna Hostetler is a California fashion designer who says she just found out about the festival last week. Hostetler says she booked a plane ticket and began printing T-shirts to raise money for medical supplies.

“We worked three days, three nights, all 24 hours, just to get here and to talk about our country and promote our national symbols and spread the word about Ukraine,” Hostetler said.

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Local Russians have also turned up at pro-Ukraine rallies to show their support.

A Russian festival that was scheduled to take place this weekend in Seminole County has been canceled.

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Ukrainian festival The annual Ukrainian festival in Apopka, FL was retooled into a rally for solidarity with the invaded nation. (Nick Papantonis)

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