Activities for Children of All Ages

We are excited to welcome visitors of all ages to CroatiaFest, especially the children! This year, we have a special area designed just for the kids called “Chris' Kids Corner.” Here, children will be invited to play games, create art, and learn about Croatian culture in fun and engaging ways.

One of the highlights will be playing hopscotch, or "školice" as it is called in Croatia. This popular game will give kids the opportunity to learn how to count to ten in Croatian while making their own special markers for the game.

Children will also have the chance to make a paper nightingale, Croatia’s national bird, with movable wings. They can assemble and decorate their birds with artistic elements inspired by traditional Croatian wooden toy makers.

For animal lovers, there will be an exciting opportunity to learn about the diverse wildlife in Croatia’s largest national park. We will teach you how to say “viper” and “bear” in Croatian.

We are naming this area "Chris' Kids Corner" in honor of Christine Jovanovich, who organized CroatiaFest’s children’s programming for many years. Christine was an alumna of the Seattle Junior Tamburitzans and had a deep sincere love for all children. Join us at Chris' Kids Corner for a day of fun, creativity, and cultural discovery!

Volunteers Will Be On-Site To Answer Questions

CROATIA TODAY:  Travel agents from Adriatic Travel answer your questions about travel to Croatia

KAKO SE KAŽE:  Learn about Croatian language and compare regional dialects

CHRIS’S KIDS CORNER: Kids activities

ACAP:  Association of Croatian American Professionals

CROATIAFEST INFORMATION BOOTH:  Pick up your souvenir programs and schedules of activities

STEP AND REPEAT: Bring your camera to take a selfie or photo with family and friends in front of the CroatiaFest logo banner

YOU WON'T GO HUNGRY!

A variety of delicious Croatian foods will be available for purchase both inside and outside the Seattle Center Armory.

Outside the Armory

Balkan Store will again have whole lamb roasted on the spit and grilled ćevapčići (Croatian-style links). Both meats will include bread and condiments.

Anacortes Sister Cities will be grilling kobasice.

Inside the Armory

On the main floor of the Armory, the Balkan Task Force will offer palačinke (Croatian crepes) and baklava. You can also purchase a cup of kava (Turkish coffee) to go along with these sweets.

Baked in Bosnia will serve traditional Croatian sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls). They will also be serving slices of their delicious apple and bee sting cakes and other tasty items such as pita/burek and princes krofne (cream puffs).

NEW LOCATION

CroatiaFest is thrilled to present three exciting cooking demos at our 2024 festival.

The Martinis Family will return with a demo of Komiška Pogača, a signature dish from the village of Komiža on the island of Vis. Pogača is a Croatian bread filled with salt fish or anchovies, onions, garlic and tomatoes.

Antonija Stipetić and Marija Mataja will demonstrate how to make Baklava, a layered dessert made with filo pastry and nuts.

Ken Hewitt, proprietor of Kuzma’s Fish Market, will share his expertise by demonstrating a traditional seafood specialty.

The cooking demo stage will have its own room this year, located to the right of the 3rd floor foyer, across from the Konoba wine room and next to the Art Gallery.

Reintroducing Special Patterns

CROATIAFEST ANNUAL SOUVENIR T-SHIRTS

 In celebration of our 20th anniversary, the CroatiaFest design team is reintroducing two very special women’s shirt patterns celebrating Croatian folklore from Slavonija and Posavina.

Models Carmen Mikacenic Giaudrone, Diane Petricic Brust, and her daughter Mila Brust are wearing the gorgeous Zlatovez embroidery pattern from Slavonija.

Model Mila Giaudrone is modeling a geometric pattern from Posavina – a region adjacent to the Sava River.

To purchase these special commemorative souvenirs and a variety of men’s, women’s, and children’s selections, visit the CroatiaFest apparel booth to the left of the main stage in the Armory on Sunday, October 6th!

OCTOBER 6TH NOON – 6:00 PM  SEATTLE CENTER ARMORY

SATURDAY CROATIAN VIGIL MASS RETURNS

After a five-year hiatus, CroatiaFest is pleased to announce the return of the Saturday Croatian Vigil Mass. The Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, October 5th at 5:30 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, located at 7000 35th Ave SW in West Seattle. Traditional Croatian liturgical music and hymns will be performed by Kišobran.

SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE – RAKIJA BEND

Immediately after Mass, Rakija Bend of Chicago will play from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe Walmesley Center, located just across the street from the church. There is plenty of off-street parking for your convenience. An à la carte menu featuring traditional Croatian cuisine prepared by the parents of the Seattle Jr. Tamburitzans will be available for purchase, as well as a no host bar featuring wine, beer, and soft drinks. Admission is $20 per person, $10 for children 16 and under, and free for kids 5 and under.

From Detroit, MI

Making its first appearance at CroatiaFest is Croatian Folklore Ensemble Nova Nada. Formed in 1995 in Detroit, Michigan, the group preserves and promotes Croatian folklore through song and dance. The group is under the direction of Steve Talan and authentically recreates traditions and village scenes in a way that all audiences can appreciate. Nova Nada has performed throughout the USA, Canada, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria. 

Nova Nada will perform on the main stage of the Seattle Center Armory on Sunday, October 6th.  Schedule of events will appear on the website as soon as plans are finalized. 

TO PERFORM AT CROATIAFEST 2024

Seattle welcomes Klapa FD (Folklorno Društvo) Kumpanija from Vela Luka, Croatia to perform at CroatiaFest on Sunday, October 6, 2024. 

Founded in 2007, Klapa FD Kumpanija has been singing for 17 years. To date, they have had more than 500 performances and concerts, singing throughout Croatia and Europe (Italy, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro.) They have recorded 2 CDs with more than 30 songs and have won several awards at domestic and foreign festivals (Verona, Perast, Marco Polo Fest). On their second CD they recorded "Letters of Your Letter" dedicated to their famous hometown singer Oliver Dragojević. 

More than 30 singers have sung in the klapa since its start. A combination of both female and male singers will be accompanied by guitar and keyboard.  Director Janes Vlasić , who leads 7other klapa groups, has been singing and playing music for more than 60 years. 

F.D. Klapa Kumpanija has been invited to the United States in conjunction with the 20th anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Anacortes, WA and Vela Luka, Croatia.

The Klapa will be performing both on the main stage of the Seattle Center Armory and the Konaba Wine Room on the 3rd floor of the Armory.  

SPEND THE WEEKEND TO CELEBRATE CROATIAFEST’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Celebrate 20 years of CroatiaFest! Come Saturday, October 5th for the dance party and stay for the festival the next day. This year, two hotels are eager to be your overnight host during CroatiaFest weekend.

The Mediterranean Inn, located at 425 Queen Anne Ave. N., is offering CroatiaFest attendees a 15% discount off of their best available rate. Please use the code CroatiaFest when booking online at www.mediterranean-inn.com, or by calling 206-428-4700. The offer is valid from October 1st through October 15th.

The Maxwell Hotel, located at 300 Roy St. (one block north of the Seattle Center), is also offering a 15% discount off their best available rate. Please use the code CRF when booking online at www.staypineapple.com, or by calling 866-866-7977. The offer is valid from October 4th through October 7th.

KICK OFF DANCE AND SING-ALONG

Your Croatiafest planning committee is proud to announce that our 20th annual festival is growing to be bigger and better than ever!  Our team often mentions at our monthly meetings that we are “bursting at the seams”.  We will feature content that is familiar from past festivals and will introduce new additions to keep our event fresh and interesting. 

SATURDAY NIGHT DANCE AND SING-ALONG IS BACK

By high demand, the CroatiaFest Kick Off Dance and Sing Along will return on Saturday, October 5th  featuring the music group Rakija Bend from Chicago.  With their expansive repertoire, the highly talented Rakija Bend will entertain you by performing your favorite popular and old time Croatian songs and kolos for your dancing pleasure.  Our own Sinovi of Seattle will share the stage and will lead you all in the very delightful sing-along. 

The Kick Off Dance will be held in West Seattle at Our Lady Of Guadalupe Parish Life Center 7000 – 35th Ave SW.  The venue is easily accessible from I-5 and Hwy 99 and has ample off street free parking in the adjacent lot.   Admission is only $20.00.  Doors open at 7:00pm.  A traditional Croatian ala-carte menu, catered by Seattle Jr. Tamburitzans parents, will be available for purchase as well as a wine and beer no host bar.  

Mark your calendars!  Bring your friends and family!  Have fun dancing and singing to Rakija Bend and Sinovi!  Enjoy delicious food and drink at the beautiful new venue! 

Croatian Themed Gift Items

If you're looking for gift items, imported Mediterranean foods, crafts, or Croatian-themed apparel, come to the main floor of the Armory. Our vendors have unique and hard-to-find items as well as Croatian candies, cookies, ajvar, and Dalmatian olive oil. We are excited to welcome back five of our favorite Croatian vendors and will welcome a few new ones this year as well.

Balkan Store: Imported Croatian and Mediterranean food and beverage products

Drusk Trading Company: Olive oil from Croatia

Croatian Fixation: Croatian-themed apparel and gifts

Andy's Fine Woods: Bowls, platters, and gifts made from exotic woods

Croatia Gifts: Handcrafted ceramics and gift items

CroatiaFest Souvenir Booth: One-of-a-kind CroatiaFest souvenir apparel

J.P. Designs: Croatian themed items - cutting boards, boxes, and trivets

SABS: Cookies, cookbooks, and gifts

Croatian Emporium:  Unique gifts imported from Croatia 

Croatian Heritage Corner: Imported kitchen items from Croatia

The merchants are located on the main floor of the Armory. Come visit -- you will be pleased with the variety of offerings. You are certain to find something with that special Croatian touch to take home and enjoy or give as a unique gift.

CroatiaFest October 6, 2024

Consulate General of Croatia from Los Angeles, California will be available for Consular Days Sunday October 6th  from 12:00 – 4:00 pm on the 3rd floor of the Seattle Center Armory for passport renewal, citizenship applications and notary services. Please make sure to bring copies of all required documents. We will not be able to accept incomplete applications.

Citizenship applications require two packets with all required documents: one original set and one complete copy for each individual applying. Copies cannot be made on site.

By appointment only! 

The office will start taking appointments September 1st.   Please call or e-mail the Consulate at 310- 477 -1009 or losangeles@mvep.hr.  Appointments are available on a first come first served basis. Please note we only accept personal checks or money orders payable to the Croatian Consulate.