CLEVELAND — Odetta Fields is on a mission to bring attention back to the Slavic Village neighborhood in Cleveland. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Slavic Festival is coming back to Cleveland

  • It is now called the Walter Hyde Fleet Jamboree

  • It also has a new theme 
  • IT begins Saturday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. at 5106 Fleet Ave in Cleveland's Slavic Neighborhood

“It’s very important because we want people to come together for the music and the resources," Fields said. 

She’s getting the word out about the Walter Hyde Fleet Jamboree. It’s named after a business owner.

“He was the owner of Daisy’s ice cream and a pillar in our community," Fields said about the origin of the new name. 

The event was previously called the Slavic Festival. It is returning to town for the first time in 18 years. Fields said the fest was initially about culture.

“The world has changed. This neighborhood has changed," Fields said. "The harvest festival was an ethnic festival. Now we want it to center around music. Music does not discriminate against race, culture or economic class."

Jeffrey Domzalski has memories from the event when it was the Slavic Festival. 

“They would close the street from east 55th all the way to the end of east 65th Street," Domzalski said.

He is an accountant by day, but once the jamboree comes around, he’s a member of one of the many bands on the card. 

“Jeff the accountant by day," Domzalski said. "That is my vocation. My advocation is music."

John Thevenin is a co-owner at TNT Discounts. He took part in Slavic Festival events as a kid. Now he said this new event can help bring foot traffic back to the business. 

“It’s great for more foot traffic to come in and sit down to have a place to establish as a business instead of establishing everything online," Thevenin said. 

Fields has spent many hours organizing the jamboree. She said the music can draw people in, and the businesses, food and resources will keep them there. 

“This is something our community needs," Fields said. "All of Cleveland needs these resources. So we’re hoping the music will bring people not just in our community but other communities together with the music and get these resources out there."

The Walter Hyde Fleet Jamboree begins 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 and goes until 7 p.m. at 5106 Fleet Ave.