The second annual Russian Festival was held this past Saturday at the Orthodox Church in America on Fort Howard Road.

Crowds started arriving early to enjoy the day of activities designed to celebrate the church’s origins and to acquaint the Effingham community with the local church.

Denise Norman demonstrated the art of egg decorating, while Katherine Kocher applied face painting to the kids. Cindy Pollard manned the “Tsar’s Treasure” sand box and Kathy Eller helped with story telling. Her husband Brian led the cast in a folk tale about a family pulling a turnip out of stubborn ground.

Russian items were for sale at the Russian Store and there was plenty of tasty ethnic food available to eat in or take out. The choir performed several times, with the church bells ringing to announce each concert.

This church is the only Russian Orthodox congregation serving the entire Savannah area.