Parade Information
The Parade Route has changed! Be sure to scope out the best spot!
Parade participants who are walking on foot are assembling on Norwood Rd. (south of St. Clair Ave).
Parade participants who are in a motorized vehicles are assembling on E62nd (north of St. Clair).
At noon, the parade will march down St. Clair Ave., and then turn north on E. 64th (right by the shipping containers).
The parade will then disperse on Spilker Ave, right behind the Main Festival Grounds.
Parade Group Information
The 13th Annual Cleveland Kurentovanje Parade is the largest one yet! Be sure to read about all of our amazing participants below!
St. Vitus Colorguard
The Catholic War Veterans of St. Vitus advocate for and support all veterans, their families, and our communities through fellowship, charitable activities, and veteran services. St. Vitus Parish is well known for its deep roots in Slovenian culture.
St Vitus is a parish of the Roman Catholic Church in Cleveland, Ohio.Cleveland Mounted Police
Today, the Cleveland Mounted Police’s day-to-day function is typically picturesque or ceremonial. The Cleveland Mounted Police officers and horses have seen presidents inaugurated, celebrated sports championships, and made Cleveland a safer place to live, work and raise a family.
Kopjaši (Spearman)
What is a Spearman? Historically, the Spearman was an entertainer at village weddings. In 1960, a group of Spearmen led the first Kurentovanje carnival procession in Ptuj and have since become an indispensable part of Kurentovanje and local carnival processions
Slovenian Consulate
Proudly carrying the flag of Slovenia, we have Cleveland's only professional consulate, the Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia. Consul General Suzana Češarek (Chesh-ar-ek) is joined by her consular staff and community volunteers.
Elected Officials
Cleveland Kurentovanje is thrilled to have our local elected officials joining us!
Deborah Legan - in Traditional Slovenian Costume
Dressed in the traditional Slovenian costume, Deborah is the grand-daughter of Mike Vidmar, one of the “founding fathers” of the Slovenian National Home. She was born and raised in the St. Vitus/St.Clair Slovenian neighborhood. She currently lives in the Atlanta, Georgia area, but her love of the Slovenian heritage and traditions brings her back to this Festival and other Slovenian events every year. “Thank you for letting me participate in this wonderful Festival!”
Destination CLE Truck
Destination Cleveland is the non-profit destination marketing and management organization for Cuyahoga County. Our primary job: We spend every day helping more people discover the real Cleveland.
Saint Martin Lionnettes and Drumline
Saint Martin de Porres High School is Cleveland's Cristo Rey Network School. Saint Martin is a Catholic college-preparatory high school that combines innovative academics with a unique work program preparing students to become men and women of faith, purpose and service. Today we have our performance groups of Drumline, Lionettes, Flag, Step Team and Cheer marching.
St. Mary Slovenian School
St. Mary's Slovenian School meets on Saturday mornings from September through May. Located in Collinwood, OH and founded in 1953 the school provides education in the Slovenian language, history, customs and traditions to students from pre-K to 8th grade.
Slow Roll Cleveland
Slow Roll Cleveland's mission is to bridge communities through inclusive bike rides. This social group bike ride meets at a different Cleveland neighborhood on Monday nights between May and October. These rides start and end in the same location and are supported by trained volunteers known as Squad who keep the ride moving safely.
Folklorna Skupina Kres
Folklorna Skupina Kres is a Cleveland-based Slovenian youth dance organization. Founded in 1954, Kres is the oldest and largest Slovenian dance group in the United States with over 100 dancers ranging in ages from 3-22.
CITY DOGS Cleveland
CITY DOGS Cleveland is the adoption program at Cleveland Animal Care & Control, aka The Kennel. All dogs participating in the parade are being escorted by CITY DOGS Cleveland volunteers. If you are looking for a great dog from a great city, please check out CITY DOGS Cleveland for your new best friend!
St. Vitus Slovenian School
The St. Vitus Slovenian School is a Saturday school with the primary purpose of preserving the Slovenian language, customs, and traditions by instilling a sense of pride and love for the Slovenian heritage. The students and parents continue to build strong friendships and participate in a variety of activities throughout the year. We have fun!
SNPJ Lodge 142
SNPJ Lodge 142 was founded in 1910 and is based in Cleveland, Ohio. Lodge 142 is affectionately nicknamed "Mirni Raj" which translates to "Peaceful Paradise". Today, Lodge 142 has nearly 300 members and hosts a variety of annual cultural, recreational, and fraternal events for its members. Marching with Lodge 142 is its youth group affiliate, Circle 94.
Los Vegigantes
Vegigantes are playful characters, full of colors, good vibes and love to interact with the crowd. Vegigantes are typical from Puerto Rico and other Caribbean Islands during carnival season. They also like and enjoy scaring bad spirits and negative vibes with their dancers. Original tradition came to the Americas during colonial time from European countries.
AMLA - American Mutual Life Association
The American Mutual Life Association (AMLA) is a fraternal benefit society formerly known as the Slovenian Mutual Benefit Association. It was founded in 1910 by a group of Slovenian immigrants in Cleveland as an organization to help immigrants to the US assimilate into their new surroundings. The mission of AMLA is To provide mutual aid, protection, and security for our members and families through affordable insurance and stable financial products. To promote, preserve, and perpetuate the common bond of Slovenian language, heritage, and culture. To sponsor fraternal activities for the benefit of its members. To support those communities wherein our members reside through acts of benevolence and volunteerism.
Food Strong Garden Club
Food Strong School Garden Club at Tremont Elementary! 4th, 5th, and 6th grade Tremont students who are passionate about growing and eating fresh local produce!
St. Vitus Adult Slovenian School
The Saint Vitus Slovenian School for Adults is the oldest and the largest adult Slovenian language school in the entire United States. "Mission of Saint Vitus Slovenian school is to preserve the Slovenian language, customs, and traditions by instilling in children a sense of pride and love for the Slovenian heritage" The school offers three levels of instruction taught by Breda Loncar, Sylvia Pisorn and Vera Marsic. The school meets twice monthly from September through May. More information can be found at the Saint Vitus Parish website.
Krampus of Cleveland
Krampus of Cleveland is an organization that performs throughout Cleveland for about eighteen years now. Krampus is a horned anthropomorphic figure in the Central and Eastern Alpine Folkloric Tradition, half -goat, half -demon monster that misbehaves children at Christmas time.
St. Lawrence #63 KSKJ Lodge
Slovenian fraternal organization representing the Slovenian Newburgh neighborhood
Miss Dyngus Day Cleveland Queens
Current and past Ms. Dyngus Days are here to help scare the winter away with their fellow Kurents! Don't forget - Dyngus Day is the day after Easter, April 21st!
Gottscheer Tanz und Spielkreis
The Gottscheer Tanz und Spielkreis is known for their high-energy performances and crowd-pleasing dances. This talented ensemble is a crowd favorite at Oktoberfests and cultural celebrations across the region. From traditional folk dances to upbeat, audience-participation numbers, they’re here to bring a smile to your face and a dance to your step.
SNPJ
The SNPJ was founded in 1904 to offer affordable life insurance and disability coverage. SNPJ was established to help Slovenian immigrants assimilate into the United States while maintaining Slovene heritage through events and activities. Today, SNPJ comprises nearly 30,000 members across the United States. SNPJ offers a diverse package of social, athletic, and cultural programs as well as a variety of community service projects.
Walking Accordion Player - Svilen Rusanov
The Amazing Giants Stiltwalking Accordion player travels all over with their team of giants doing circus like-entertainment throughout the lands!
Ypsilanti Critters
A Slovenian family from Indianapolis carrying on a family tradition.
Slovenska Pristava Orači (Ploughmen)
Pristava was founded by a group of refugees from Slovenia after the Communists took over their homeland. Often referred to as “a little piece of Slovenia” in the USA, Slovenska Pristava (SP) is a Slovenian Catholic organization that provides a venue for recreation & relaxation to its members and their friends.The Orači or the Ploughmen from villages nearby Ptuj such as of Markovci, Lancova Vas, Podlehnik, Leskovec, Dornava and Okič in Haloz would plough the defensive magic circle around the village announcing the beginning of work on the fields.
Cleveland Kurentovanje Queen, Prince, and Princess
The Royal Court of the Cleveland Kurentovanje festival is an honor to be bestowed upon individuals who espouse a love of Cleveland and Slovenian culture, have a fun and confident personality, and possess the willingness to be a caring and committed ambassador of the Cleveland Kurentovanje spirit. Congratulations to the 2025 Cleveland Kurentovanje Royal Court!
Kurenti
The Kurent is the most famous traditional carnival figure of the entire region, and arguably, the most recognizable in all of Slovenia. We celebrate the changing of the seasons with the featured Kurenti, ancient and mythological creatures who are believed to chase away winter and usher in spring with their supernatural powers. There are two types of Kurent: “feathery” and “horned”, which primarily refer to the difference of their head covering. The Kurent wears a massive sheepskin garment. Around its waist hangs a chain with huge bells attached—the resulting noise does a great job of chasing away winter, which is the Kurent’s primary function.