Michael Green, of McKeesport, with his wife Kristy and sons Noah and Andrew at International Village in August.

Photograph by Anna Lisa Haughwout

Renziehausen Park hosted the 62nd International Village, an annual festival that celebrates diverse ethnic cultures, from Aug. 8 through 10, despite the heavy gray clouds that lurked above. 

The event featured food from a variety of countries such as Austria, Lebanon, Taiwan, Croatia, Germany, Mexico, Egypt, Hungary and the Philippine. The event also had music and dancing representing a few of these countries. Wonderful aromas from the food floated through the air and lots of people walked about or waited in line to buy a delicious dish of food. The Rankin Junior Tamburitzans, a group of young men and women, delighted the audience on the Main Stage with Croatian Kolo dancing. 

Several people in attendance said they had a great time in interviews with the McKeesport Community Newsroom. The festival provides an opportunity for McKeesport residents to discuss life in their community. The individuals shared a variety of ideas for improving life in McKeesport. 

Michael Green attended International Village with his wife Kristy and sons Andrew and Noah. Kristy had tattoos of her children’s names on her arm. Green, a cook, said the family loves McKeesport and takes advantage of the parks and bike trails. They enjoyed the event. 

“I do like this here,” Green said. “It is different. Having the food here is fun.” 

Vickie Medved, of Greenock.

Photograph by Anna Lisa Haughwout

Vicki Medved grew up and raised her children in McKeesport, but left in 2002. She now lives in Greenock, Pennsylvania. She still comes to McKeesport, doing activities like taking her grandchildren to the park. She believes eliminating business tax would improve McKeesport by bringing more businesses into the area. 

“There are no businesses anymore. I would like to see it developed again. I really would. There are a lot of things they do for the community. There are a lot of good things here. Everything is convenient,” she said.

Lisa Kelly, of McKeesport.

Photograph by Anna Lisa Haughwout

Lisa Kelly, 60, was born and raised in McKeesport. She believes area children need access to recreation centers. She also said too many structural buildings were being torn down with no new businesses replacing them. She felt crime was high and that it can lead to violence and drugs. 

She remembered a downtown McKeesport where law-abiding citizens could go to the stores, theaters, restaurants and there were no abandoned houses. But all in all, she felt that the International Village Festival brings all the people together.  

Tiffany Ford and Logan Walker, of McKeesport, with their daughter Lena.

Photograph by Anna Lisa Haughwout

A couple in their 20s, Tiffany Ford and Logan Walker, of McKeesport, first met at International Village in 2018 while she was working at the Mexico booth. Now that they are parents to 11-month old Lena they think about the future and hope to see a safer environment with more things for kids to do such as athletic activities. They liked the bounce house for kids and would like to see pony rides for kids next year.

Nick Morakis, of McKeesport.

Photograph by Anna Lisa Haughwout

Nick Morakis, of McKeesport, told me he was single. He is a rather dashing 84-year-old man who occasionally has a glass of Ouzo, a Greek liquor. 

“It keeps you young," he said. 

Morakis has been an International Village volunteer for 15 years at the Greek food booth, which is sponsored by the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Having lived in McKeesport for 84 years, he remembered the softball teams, lots of elementary schools and when people could go shopping downtown.

Morakis said he would like to see the city offer more jobs in electronics to young people looking for good careers. 

“McKeesport was a lively city,” Morakis said. “Then the steel mills closed and there were lots of empty houses. There is still a closeness among the people, but they are getting old." 

At the Tube City Online booth, they did a livestream for online viewers.

Mayor Michael Cherepko appeared to help celebrate International Village's 62nd Anniversary. He told the McKeesport Community Newsroom that the weather was beautiful. While it didn’t rain on Monday, the fireworks were delayed to Wednesday out of caution concerning the weather. Overall, he loved this year’s festival.  

"It was absolutely wonderful,” Cherepko said.

- Colette Funches

Additional reporting by Anna Lisa Haughwout