HUNGARIAN HARVEST DANCE 2004

The Árpádhon Hungarian Settlement Cultural Association (AHSCA) sponsored its annual Hungarian Harvest Dance Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2004 at The American Legion Hall on Hwy. 43 near Springfield. The Festivities began at 3:00 P.M. when Életfa played a concert of Hungarian Folk Music. The evening celebration was kicked off at 5:30 P.M. when AHSCA President Jim King welcomed the crowd and Suzanna Green, daughter of Kathleen Mocsary Green, sang the Star-Spangled Banner. The Baton Rouge International Folk Dancers, led by Vonnie Brown, performed a series of Hungarian folk dances. Many of these dances, such as the kevi, olahos, and the gáncsi, included local community members as well as the Baton Rouge dancers. Around 6:30 P.M., the Hungarian Harvest Dance was underway. This performance included traditional dances that have been passed down in our community since its founding years. After the completion of the Harvest Dance, many in the crowd eagerly participated in the traditional “stealing of the fruit.” A gallon of strawberry wine, donated by Pete Pffifner, was auctioned off to the highest bidder. The Harvest Dance music was provided by Életfa. A food booth was opened at 3:00 P.M. and served a variety of foods throughout the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. Some Hungarian delicacies, such as stuffed cabbage, kolbász, cucumber salad and cabbage noodles were available in the food booth. Hungarian pastries, such as kiflik and kalacs were sold at a booth run by Kathleen Green of the Olde World Bakery. The post Harvest Dance entertainment was provided by Louis Monic and his  Boudin Band, which featured his grandson, Dane Monic, a thirteen year old accordion player.