Cultures and peoples of Eastern Europe will be celebrated during Maslenitsa 2017 at Rocket Republic Brewing Company on Feb. 25. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – On Feb. 25, Maslenitsa 2017 spring festival will celebrate the traditions and culture of peoples in East Europe and Central Asia.

“The merriment runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Rocket Republic Brewing Company, 289 Production Avenue in Madison. In addition to hosting this unique event, the City of Madison can also boast its own Olga Osadcii, originally from Moldova, who returns for the sixth year as event organizer,” publicist Jim Zielinski said.

Presenters for Maslenitsa are Blossomwood Foundation, OlgaDNZ Dance Studio and Eastern European and Central Asian communities.

“Visitors can immerse themselves in this cultural celebration of the dying winter and the longed-for emergence of spring, enjoying authentic regional folksongs and traditional dances, savoring traditional foods, communing with their inner artiste through free craft-making and family games,” Zielinski said.

Demonstrations and food tastings will give an insider’s view of Ukraine, Tajikistan, Moldova, Russia, Kazakhstan and other lands in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Baltic States and Southern Caucasus.

Admission costs $5 for anyone older than 12 years old. The first 100 visitors will receive free Blini, similar to a blintz or crepe.

Vendors will offer crafts and baked goods, including Blini by Royal Rose Cafe. “Brookside’s Sisterhood of Saint Olga will return, bringing filled Pirozhki,” he said.

Children’s crafts at Maslenitsa are free and involve fun, hands-on and educational activities.

Keyboardist/vocalist Val Bratu will perform Romanian/Moldovan tunes. Other entertainers will include dancers from Ukraine and Georgia, OlgaDNZ dance troupe, exchange students and Do-Re-Mi school students.

“If Tennessee Valley residents are looking for something unique, entertaining, educational and one-of-a-kind – and reasonably priced and family-friendly – they’ve found it with Maslenitsa,” Zielinski said.

For more information, call 256-585-8354, email olgaosadcii@gmail.com or visit Facebook/Maslenitsa in Alabama.