Bethlen Almanac 1999 (Ligonier)
The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America
mance of the day. This performance was the beginning of special heritage programs offered throughout the day on the half-mile span of the festival area, which came alive with Hungarian music, puppet shows, folk dances, fencing demonstrations, games for children, a variety of exhibits, delectable smells of food, and vendors selling everything from lemon-ice to Hungarian Zsolnay porcelain. Among the special events, in addition to the HAAC Csurdongolo Folk Dance Ensemble, was a preview performance of the Randy James Dance Works “The Open Jar.” Another special event was the Twilight Concert, sponsored by the American Hungarian Foundation in its Hungarian Heritage Center courtyard, featuring the popular vocalist László Fogéi and Steven Csubak, violinist. The traditional Hungarian Mass was celebrated in St. Ladislaus Church at five o’clock. Representatives of the Federation sold cook books and distributed literature. László Lipoczky, one of the board members of the Federation, assisted with the information booth. Federation president George Dózsa and his wife Matilda were among the Federation representatives present at the festival along with Federation director Albert St. Miklosy. The Hungarian Civic Association, which sponsors the festival, is a non-profit coalition of churches and organizations in the New Brunswick Hungarian community. It was organized in 1975 to become involved in the revitalization of New Brunswick on the neighborhood level. The first festival was held in 1976 to celebrate the Bicentennial of our Country. Yolan Varga, Festival Chairperson and Member of Branch 302 The HAAC Csurdongolo Folk Dance Ensemble. 16
