On Saturday, September 5, 2026, the Folklorna skupina Kres hosted a beautiful afternoon of fun, friends, family and Slovenian heritage at Slovenska Pristava.  The picnic began at 3PM followed by a performance with Kres’s 80 dancers at 5PM.

This special, summer Kres performance paid tribute to Breda Loncar, long-time director and beloved part of the Kres Legacy. Breda’s nieces Maggie Gobetz and Emily Stupica, each shared their heartfelt memories of their Aunt and spoke of the lasting impact she had on their lives and on many generations of Kres dancers.

In attendance were members of the Office of the Consulate General of the Republic of Slovenia, including the Consul General herself, Suzana Češarek, who graciously addressed the crowd offering kind words for Kres and the Slovenian Community in Cleveland and of the (at the time) upcoming events of Slovenian Days held in various locations in Cleveland.

The audience enjoyed performances from the senior Kres dancers, as well as each of the younger Kres age groups.  The dancers brought an incredible energy and excitement to the stage. Both stylized and traditional dances were performed, leaving smiles on the audience’s faces and reminding them of the joy that comes from sharing Slovenian culture and traditions with others.

After the dancers paraded out for the finale, a dance to the tune of “Ribic Jaka”, all Kres teachers, past and present, were invited to the stage where they were introduced and recognized for their dedication to Kres. To cap off this wonderful evening, one of Kres’s youngest members presented Breda’s husband, Matt, with a bright bouquet of flowers, a beautiful tribute to Kres’s past and to its future. 

The celebration continued well into the evening as the Aaron Dussing Band played live polka music.  The evening ended with a dance floor full of dancers making it a wonderful celebration of community, tradition and the memories that continue to bring Kres together.