Spring Festival 2026

The Spring Celebration at Nestville Park Brought Together Traditions, Folklore and a Wonderful Atmosphere for the Twelfth Time Under the Auspices of the Non-Profit Organization Spolužitie zrodené z minulosti.

Horse Parade, Maypole Raising and a Rich Cultural Program

During the first weekend of May, Nestville Park in Hniezdne was filled with folk traditions and music. Visitors also enjoyed competitions and celebrations welcoming the arrival of spring. The popular Spring Celebration welcomed numerous visitors from near and far, all eager to experience a day filled with folklore, regional specialties, and unforgettable moments.

A parade of magnificent horses opened the event and created a magical atmosphere from the very beginning. Beautifully decorated carriages added charm and completed the unforgettable experience. Throughout the day, the venue echoed with music, singing, dancing, and performances by folklore ensembles. The program showcased the beauty of Slovak traditions and cultural heritage passed down through generations. This wonderful day featured performances by FS Ružbašan, FS Ľubovňanček and the children’s folklore ensemble Goralik. The traditional maypole raising – a symbol of spring, joy and new life – took place accompanied by the singing and dancing of FS Ľubovňan. In addition to the folklore ensembles, Veselé Harmoniky and the JDS Levoča Choir also performed.

Adrenaline-Filled Competitions and Teamster Races

The day was also packed with exciting competitions. Visitors cheered on contestants in wood-cutting challenges, sausage-eating contests and the popular žinčica drinking competition, all of which brought plenty of fun and laughter.

An inseparable part of the event were the traditional teamster races. Strong draft horses and their handlers demonstrated skill, strength and precision in demanding disciplines watched by hundreds of spectators from the stands.

A huge thank you belongs to all the teamsters for their dedication, strength and passion they put into the races: Marian Figura, Kamil Canecki, Patrik Baračka, Emil Jurko, Ondrej Kovalčík, Erik Kralčák, Rasťo Ďurica, Štefan Štair, Ľubomír Ďurica, Ján Nebus, Tibor Tóth, Ladislav Bratko, Peter Pardus, Michal Brutovský, Jožko Haladej, Erik Jurko and Ľubo Balaž.

Winners of Individual Categories

Speed Carriage Driving

1. Jožko Haladej
2. Ján Nebus
3. Rastislav Ďurica

Log Pulling Between Nestville Whisky Barrels

1. Ladislav Bratko
2. Erik Jurko
3. Michal Brutovský

Sled Pulling with Nestville Whisky

1. Erik Jurko
2. Jožko Haladej
3. Rastislav Ďurica

Overall Teamster Race Results

1. Erik Jurko
2. Jožko Haladej
3. Ján Nebus

“Bearer of Traditions” Showcased the Beauty of the Region

Great attention was also drawn to the “Bearer of Traditions” competition, in which individual villages and towns (Hniezdne, Forbasy, Stará Ľubovňa, Nižné Ružbachy, Vyšné Ružbachy and Chmeľnica) presented their traditional dishes, regional specialties, folk costumes and customs. Visitors had the opportunity to taste authentic Spiš delicacies, discover the region’s rich culture and participate in evaluating each municipality.

The musical program was complemented by the band Protón, whose energetic performance brought excitement to visitors of all generations. The youngest guests also enjoyed themselves in the popular Fruxi Fresh zone full of games, entertainment and children’s attractions. In addition to the children’s zone, visitors could also taste traditional meat and dairy products from Bača Paľo production.

The Spring Celebration at Nestville Park once again confirmed that traditions still hold a firm place in modern times. We would like to thank all performers, competitors, partners and visitors who became part of this wonderful event and together created an atmosphere full of joy, folklore and beautiful shared memories.