The mythical Kurents will emerge from hibernation this Saturday, Feb. 7 at 5:30 during the Kurent Jump, launching the 14th annual Cleveland Kurentovanje—a Slovenian style Mardi Gras festival that celebrates the Kurent, who is believed to chase away winter’s grip and usher in spring with its supernatural powers.

"The Kurent Jump is truly the sort of lead off to the week of Cleveland Kurentovanje, and leading up to the main festival and parade," explains executive committee member Kathy Walters. "It is really meant to celebrate the rising of the Kurents and their entry into the world to chase away winter and to welcome spring. So this is basically our kickoff to the festival."

The Kurent Jump summons the mythical creatures to chase away winter and usher in spring.Various Kurentovanje events around food, arts, and Slovenian culture are planned throughout next week, culminating with the Kurentovanje festival and parade and the 8^th annual Kurent Dash on Saturday, Feb. 14. Kurentovanje timing is based on the Lenten calendar—making this year's date particularly early, compared to last year's March 1 celebration.

The Saturday evening Kurent Jump event at the Slovenian National Home in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood will feature the lively entrance of the Kurent creatures. "They enter back into our world, they're here for a week, and they are here through the festival," explains Walters.

This year's Kurent Jump includes some new additions to the Kurent clan. "We have young Kurents that are being introduced this year,” says Walters. “We have some children that are participating, which is new."

Walters adds that the Kurent costumes are handmade by artisans in Ptuj, Slovenia, where the original Kurentovanje festival has been celebrated for over 50 years, and then shipped directly to Cleveland Kurentovanje.

Saturday’s Kurent Jump begins at 5:30 p.m. The event boasts a festive atmosphere, complete with traditional Slovenian food, music, and traditions.

"There's a cash bar, we have food for sale, and of course we'll have the traditional Slovenian sausages,” says Walters. “We're introducing some new food items this year—chicken schnitzel and potato pancakes. The menu also features Joe Tavčar's famous strudel and other European specialties.

The Kurent Jump will debut this year's special festival beer, Pivo Kurent, made every year for Kurentovanje by Collision Bend Brewing Company. “It's a light lager, a great can,” says Walters. “We'll start selling that at the Jump on Saturday night."

Musical entertainment includes DJ BTH Dylan Johnson, who will open the evening; crowd favorite the Chardon Polka Band from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; followed by a visual treat with an LED light show by Volcanic Lioness.

Walters says the highlight of the Kurent Jump happens around 7:30 p.m., when guests are encouraged to gather by the bonfire in the parking lot. “That's when we start to get everybody excited to cheer, to bring out our Kurents,” she says.

Kurenti at the Kurent 5K starting lineTo help guests stay warm during the outdoor ceremony, everyone gets a complimentary bowl of Juha (soup)—this year, a hearty potato soup to ward off the February freeze.

The Kurent Jump serves as the opening act for a week-long cultural celebration that runs through Saturday, February 14, when the main festival and parade take place.

Walters says Cleveland Kurentovanje is popular, in part, because Northeast Ohio is home to the highest population of Slovenes outside of Slovenia.

Walters adds that the festival has evolved since its inception 15 years ago. "When the festival first started, the Kurent Jump happened the night before the main parade and festival. But as we've grown over the last 14 years, we really saw this as an opportunity to extend our offerings to the community."

The week-long Kurentovanje schedule includes virtual and in-person events, ranging from cooking classes to cultural exhibits to Slovenian wine tastings. Right now, folks are looking forward to the Kurent Jump to get things started.

Tickets are $35, but Walters warns the event is already close to selling out.

"We pretty much sell out every year, and I think we're getting close to selling out at this point," she admits. "We have people that come out, year after year, after year, and this is sort of like their official excitement for the season."

At week's end, Kurentovanje will end and the Kurents will return to their mystical realm during Pokop Pusta, a closing ceremony. "We burn an effigy and we're saying, okay, we're getting ready to get rid of winter,” Walters explains. “That's when our Kurents go back to hibernate until next year.”

The Kurent Jump takes place Saturday, February 7, from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Slovenian National Home, 6417 Saint Clair Ave., Cleveland, 44103. Tickets are $35. Free parking is available in the Sifco lot behind the Slovenian National Home.