CroatiaFest

CroatiaFest is held in the Seattle Center Armory (formerly known as the Center House) and features continuous live performances on the main stage. In addition to the wonderful music, dance and food that make our culture so unique, there are food demonstrations and vendors selling Croatian merchandise. The festival will feature:

• Music & Dance Performances
• Croatia Travel Today
• Historical Exhibits
• Souvenirs of Croatia

• Market Place
• Cooking Demonstrations
• Authentic Food
• Crafts for Kids

Festival Highlights

Saturday, Oct. 4 - Saturday Evening Events

Croatian Mass - Join us for mass 5:00 PM at St.Joseph Catholic Church, 732- 18th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112. Traditional Croatian Catholic hymns will be played and sung by Sinovi Tamburitiza Orchestra.

Croatian Dance Party - Dance and Sing-along at the Russian Community Center (across the street from St. Joseph). Admission is only $10, and there will be Croatian food available for a la carte purchase catered by the Seattle Jr. Tamburitizan parents. A no-host bar will feature a variety of wines and imported Croatian Karlovacko Pivo. Come dance and sing along to new as well as the old standard Croatian songs and kolo dance to the music of Sinovi.

Sunday, Oct. 5 - All-Day Festival

Festivities begin at Seattle Center Armory with opening ceremonies at noon. The festival will include:

Culture: Experience the music, exquisite costumes and traditional dances performed all day on the main stage by various Croatian musicians, dance ensembles and singing groups.

Traditions: At least three different Croatian cooking demonstrations will take place at the new cooking stage in the west wing of the Armory.

History: Exhibition panels will feature the history of our Croatian communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. 

Geneology: Are you interested in your Croatian roots? Want to find out more about your family lineage? Genealogist Barbara Starkey will be at CroatiaFest 2013 to answer all of your questions. Visit her booth on the main floor of the Armory.

Homeland: Plan your next trip to Croatia by spending some time at the Croatia Travel Today booth. Once again a representative from Adriatic Tours from Los Angeles will be on hand to answer your questions, book your flight and give you guidelines to help with your travel plans. 

FOOD ! FOOD! FOOD! CroatiaFest will have seven food booths at this year’s festival; four outside and three inside the Armory. Featured again this year will be grilled ćivapčići, meat sausage served on a pita bread with red pepper sauce: Ajvar. Sister Cities Association of Anacortes will be grilling these delightful sandwiches outside the Southwest entrance to the Armory. Follow your nose and make your way to their booth to enjoy this traditional and popular entrée, then bring it inside the Armory and enjoy a Karlovačko Pivo (or your favorite beverage) in the newly expanded Quincy’s Bar.

The Armory food vendors around the perimeter of the building are planning a special Croatian themed item on their menu.

QUINCY’S CORNER AND EXPANDED BEER GARDEN Head into Quincy’s to enjoy live music with your meal or just have a Karlovačko Pivo or your favorite beverage in the newly expanded beer garden. Bonaca will be performing in Quincy’s Corner from 2 – 2:30 and Klapa Doowapella will be singing from 2:45 – 3:15. You may purchase food at anyone of CroatiaFest’s seven food booths (4 outside and 3 inside the Armory) and take your entrée into Quincy’s to enjoy the music.

Our merchant vendors will be back with a variety of Croatian goods and souvenirs for your shopping pleasure. And, of course, there will be activities and crafts for the youngsters.