Many Americans have heard of Croatia and the war that redrew the map of Central Europe nearly 20 years ago, but few know what a presence Croatian-Americans have in the Pacific Northwest. Seattlelites will get a chance to learn more at CroatiaFest in the Seattle Center’s Center House this weekend.

The festival’s theme, “Croatian Hands at Work,” celebrates a century of Croatian contribution to local mining and manufacturing. It includes panel discussion with Croatian-American miners and a historical photo exhibit showing pictures from all over Washington State.

Festival attendees can also learn about travel in Croatia from Gretchen Strauss of the TV show Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door, genealogy from UW graduate Barbara Budinich Starkey and traditional folkdance from the Živili Dance Company.

CroatiaFest committee director, Alma Plancich, emigrated to the United States with her family after World War II. She said it was this latest wave of emigration, just after the Balkan War, that brought greater attention to the country and lead to the festival’s beginning in 2004.

“There was a need,” said Plancich. “After the war was the perfect time ... to focus on our culture.”

The Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra will play a mix of classical music and Croatian- and American-composed pieces.

The Vela Luka Dance Ensemble will perform traditional dances with Spanish and Italian influences, said John Lovric, who started dancing in the ensemble when he was in elementary school. Lovric is now grown up and a member of the Croatian American Club in Anacortes, Wash., but he has been a member of the CroatiaFest Committee every year. He looks forward to seeing Pittsburgh’s Croatia Gifts at the festival and he’s also a fan of the food.

“Croatians like to eat,” Lovric said.

Restaurants in the Center House food court will serve traditional Croatian food made from recipes provided by members of the committee and their families.

Café Beignet will go Croatian, selling a sweet bread called povitica, and spicy sausages from local sausage-maker Jan Urbanovic of Carpatia Sausages will be available at Frankfurter. Award-winning chef John Sarich, who is the culinary director for local winery Chateau Ste. Michelle, will give a cooking demonstration Sunday afternoon.

UW graduate Maria Kesovija said that while the food is good, there’s something even better about helping organize the festival every year.

“Meeting people; meeting people is so amazing,” she said.

Reach reporter Roselle Kingsbury at arts@dailyuw.com.