Bar Keeper owner Joe Keeper tipped me off about the 22nd annual Los Angeles Lithuanian Fair, taking place October 4-5 at St. Casimir Lithuanian Catholic Church in Silver Lake, across from Marshall High.

Keeper has attended the fair several times and was especially excited about the “harvest beer,” “mead,” “beet borscht” and “folk dancing.” Festival organizers will also showcase Lithuanian art, music and literature.

Keeper and his wife had a 45-minute discussion with the President of Lithuania at a previous festival, so be on the lookout for current President Valdas Adamkus. If it seems strange that the President of Lithuania would cross the Pacific to visit a church in Silver Lake, it shouldn’t be. Keeper said Los Angeles has the largest concentration of Lithuanians outside of Lithuania, adding, “It’s a real community festival, like Sunset Junction once was.” He recommends going on Sunday, before church lets out and lines get long.

The festival runs Saturday and Sunday from 11 AM – 5 PM. The cost is $9 for adults, $6 for seniors and children under 12 get in free.

On Saturday at 9 PM, Lithuanian country singer Stanekas performs a concert. The cost: $20.