ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The Ukrainian Festival returns to St. Josaphat’s Catholic Church in Irondequoit on Thursday. It runs through Sunday and features authentic Ukrainian food, dancing, and music.

The festival is taking place as the War in Ukraine passes its two-and-a-half year mark. News10NBC TODAY was live with a preview of the festival and a look at how Rochester’s Ukrainian community has provided humanitarian aid. Organizer Andrew Hanushevsky said the festival all started with a picnic at the church and has since grown to a four-day celebration.

“We’re actually one of the most close knit tight communities around. Everybody looks out for each other. There was a huge effort for fundraising when the war broke out in Ukraine,” he said.

The festival typically draws about 40,000 people for the church’s largest fundraiser. Parking and admission are free. Food at the festival include pierogies, cabbage rolls, and Ukrainian sausage. There will also be a bazaar at the festival that includes embroideries, ceramics, amber, Easter eggs, paintings, jewelry, and more.

“About 75% of the people that show up are not Ukrainian,” Hanushevsky said. “They love to come, they love the food, they love the dancing, the entertainment, so on and so forth. We have vendors from all over the country and in Canada coming to sell things.”

The War in Ukraine will be on the minds of many during the festival. RocMaidan, a nonprofit based in Rochester that ships humanitarian aid to Ukraine, will have a booth during all four days. You can donate to RocMaidan here.

On Saturday, there will be church tours. On Sunday, people can attend mass and join a prayer for peace in Ukraine at the church. Mass begins at 11:30 a.m. Here are the hours for the festival:

• Thursday: 6 p.m. until 10:45 p.m.
• Friday: 6 p.m. until midnight
• Saturday: 1 p.m. until midnight
• Sunday: 1 p.m. until 7 p.m.

You can see the complete schedule for the festival and dancing times here.