The 46th Annual Nationality Days Spotlights Heritage

Jeremy Angus can’t help but feel excited about this year’s 46th annual Nationality Days festival in Ambridge.

The popular three-day heritage festival begins today, and Angus, executive director of the Ambridge Chamber of Commerce, is expecting a huge turnout.

“This is our largest festival in 46 years,” he said. “We have more vendors than we’ve ever had.”

Vendors will set up on four city blocks along Merchant Street. The sellers list includes 95 vendors, 35 of them new, and the roster had filled up by April 1, as opposed to May 5 last year.

The event also used to be “craft-heavy,” as Angus described it, but this year, most of the 95 vendors are selling food.

“People want food,” Angus said. “They love to eat here.”

Businesses, organizations and churches, including five of Ambridge’s ethnic churches, will sell homemade ethnic cuisine and crafts. There will be games for children and the sounds of cultural entertainment from the main event stage.

Angus said he wasn’t expecting the festival to grow to such a large event, but he welcomes it.

“I want a festival you can’t find anywhere else. That’s my absolute goal,” he said.

Friday's Entertainment

Noon: Lincoln Park Guitar Ensemble

1 p.m.: Lincoln Park Jazz Ensemble

3:15 p.m.: Ambridge Area High School Choir

4 p.m.: Dena Stewart

5:30 p.m.: Da Flow Band

7:30 p.m.: Orkestra Zabava

Saturday's Entertainment

1 p.m.: Helenic Dancers

2 p.m.: Louise School of Dance

3 p.m.: Ambridge Area High School Steel Drums

4:15 p.m.: Tamburitzans

6 p.m.: Element Jazz Band

Sunday's Entertainment

11:15 a.m.: Four Those About To Rock

12:15 p.m.: St. Peter & Paul Dancers & Choir

1 p.m.: Tobin Studios

2 p.m.: River Valley Tang Soo Do

3 p.m.: Zanafest Singers

4 p.m.: Ray Ryan New Orleans Band

6 p.m.: Celtic Spirit Dancers & Pipers