Downtown Shenandoah will come alive with ethnic pride, sizzling kielbasi, and vibrant culture as Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. (DSI) hosts its highly anticipated Kielbasi Festival and Heritage Day on Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The festivities kick off with the annual Parade of Nations, sponsored by Explore Schuylkill, at 10 a.m., bringing the heart of Main Street to life with colorful floats, traditional attire, and the flags of numerous nations. A celebration of Shenandoah’s rich immigrant heritage, the parade features community members representing their ancestral homelands, along with first responders, local officials, marching bands, and this year’s Grand Marshal, Eric Mika.
Honoring a Hometown Visionary
DSI proudly announces Eric Mika, founder and past president of the organization, as the 2025 Parade of Nations Grand Marshal. Mika, a Shenandoah native, was instrumental in forming DSI and has long championed the borough’s revitalization efforts. Last April, DSI broke ground on the Center for Education, Business & Arts (CEBA) — a project Mika has called a “game-changer” for the community.
In a statement reflecting on the groundbreaking, Mika praised the town’s resilience and spirit:
“It is unprecedented in my lifetime for the borough of Shenandoah... not like the prominence of yesteryear but a new, innovative and economic prominence. Shenandoah—yesterday and today—can accomplish anything.”
He continued, speaking with heartfelt pride about Shenandoah's tight-knit community and diverse heritage:
“There is no better example of the melting pot theory in the country than Shenandoah… a unique and illustrious history where citizens of many countries, ethnic backgrounds, and opposing cultures and religions arrived together over a century ago in less than one square mile.”
Mika closed with words that embody the spirit of this annual event:
“Where there is a will, there is a way. That's the American way. This is the Shenandoah way.”
Kielbasi, Pierogies, and Community Pride
Beloved local icons Kowalonek’s Kielbasy Shop, Lucky’s Kielbasi Shop, and Mrs. T’s Pierogies will be on hand, offering fan-favorite flavors and signature Shenandoah treats. In addition to the borough’s eateries and shops, food trucks and vendors from around the country will bring an array of food, drinks, and desserts. Local artisans and craftspeople will also set up along Main Street, showcasing handmade goods and creative works.