One of the most recognizable festivals held in Chicago and the surrounding area, Taste of Serbia, took place last weekend on the grounds of St. Basil Serbian Orthodox Church in Lake Forest.
The traditional festival, considered one of the largest ethnic food and music festivals in Lake County, is held every year over Labor Day weekend in early September.
As in previous years, guests had an opportunity to enjoy homemade grilled specialties, roasted lamb and pork, sarma and other traditional Serbian dishes. Folklore groups, tamburitza musicians, bands and solo performers provided the entertainment. 
St. Basil Serbian Orthodox Church in Lake Forest
St. Basil Serbian Orthodox Church in Mettawa/Lake Forest, Illinois, north of Chicago, is an active parish belonging to the New Gracanica-Midwestern American Diocese. It was founded in November 1997 as a mission to bring together Orthodox Serbs in Lake and northern Cook counties. Two years later, a property with a church complex was purchased at 27450 N Bradley Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045.
The parish priest and head of St. Basil Serbian Orthodox Church is Father Miloš Živković, who was appointed to the position on August 1, 2025, by a decision of Metropolitan Longin of New Gracanica-Midwestern America. Father Miloš graduated from St. Sava Seminary in Belgrade and later from the St. Sava Faculty of Theology in Libertyville.
The main purpose of the event, organized by St. Basil Serbian Orthodox Church in Lake Forest, is to strengthen ties within the Serbian diaspora and preserve and promote Serbian tradition, cultural heritage and the Orthodox faith.
A raffle with valuable prizes was again organized for visitors this year. All proceeds collected during the event are used to support the parish, maintain the church property and fund educational programs for children and folklore groups.
Events organized by our community across North America, including Srbijada, Serb Fest, Taste of Serbia and others, give children and young people born in America an opportunity to actively learn about their heritage through socializing, play and song, and to proudly present their identity to peers of non-Serbian background.
Photo: Milan Brašanac
View the photo gallery from this event below.
