The MacGahan Festival

In 1978 Dr. G. Tabakoff, a physician from Akron, Ohio, established the Bulgarian-American MacGahan Foundation with the explicit goal of celebrating the 100th anniversary of the liberation of Bulgaria and to educate those interested in the Bulgarian history, culture and most importantly, the impact that Januarius MacGahan had on the Bulgarian people. Thanks to the original members of the New Lexington Advisory Committee, the late Carma Jean Rausch, Barbara Mooney, and Jim Orrechio and current members, the annual festival has occurred for more than 40 years.

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The foundation hosts an annual weekend American-Bulgarian festival in New Lexington, Ohio in early June, in tribute to MacGahan and in celebration of the Bulgarian culture and heritage that he helped preserve.

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The format of the MacGahan American-Bulgarian Festival is similar each year. It opens Friday evening, with an informal reception, to welcome out of town guests. Saturday morning there is a memorial service at the grave site of Januarius MacGahan at the New Lexington Cemetery, the placing of a floral tribute at the MacGahan statue across from the Perry County Court House, and a Bulgarian luncheon and program.

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While in New Lexington, visitors have the opportunity to visit the grave site of Januarius MacGahan, and the MacGahan Foundation's permanent display of Bulgarian books and artifacts at the Perry County District Library.

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New Lexington is located one hour southeast of Columbus, Ohio.