5th Annual Slavic Experience | The ROC – St Louis Park
Celebrate Eastern and Central European Culture at the 5th Annual Slavic Experience
St. Louis Park, Minn (July 7, 2026) – Slavic Experience, the first and only festival of its kind in Minnesota, returns for a fifth year on August 1 and 2 at The ROC (3700 Monterey Drive) in St. Louis Park. The free, family-friendly event creates an inclusive and welcoming space for all to celebrate the richness of Slavic heritage in a number of educationally and culturally significant ways.
Guests will experience two days of music, dance, fashion and traditional art demonstrations. Highlights include:
- Miss Slavic Experience (New in 2026) – The Miss Slavic Experience 2026 competition is a cultural ambassador program celebrating women who embody Slavic heritage, pride, and community spirit. The event highlights knowledge of Slavic culture, personality, stage presence, and cultural or fashion presentation, with each category weighted equally. Winners serve for one year as festival ambassadors, appearing at community celebrations and cultural activities, helping to promote and preserve Slavic heritage. Ukrainian native and Ms. World America 2025, Adriana Pushchak (@adriana.push), will be a guest judge.
- Fashion Show – strut, cheer, or model bold Slavic-inspired looks on our runway from local clothing designers Kearia Thompson Cochran and Karen Morris Millinery.
- Best Pierogi Competition – Taste, vote, and cheer as chefs and home cooks compete for the title of Best Pierogi!
- Pączki Eating Contest – gobble sweet pączki (deep-fried Polish doughnuts) and race for the crown in this crowd favorite.
Additionally, Slavic Experience welcomes several music and dance groups to the stage in 2026, including dancer Eseniia Mikheeva (@Esenya_miss) – featured in season 18 of America’s Got Talent – and Manny Cabo (@themannycabo) from season 9 of The Voice.
Follow Slavic Experience on Social Media!
