You could smell the spicy aroma of simmering cabbage rolls all the way from the parking lot.

Last night members of Toronto's Macedonian community kicked up their Slavic boot heels to celebrate the first day of Caravan 1991.

Visitors at the Skopje pavilion on Overlea Blvd. were greeted by "Princess of Skopje" Vesna Kondovski, 18, who was dressed in the costume of her ancestors, a multi-colored apron of wool and white hand-embroidered blouse.

And as the accordion player from the band serenaded the guests with old country love ballads and folk songs, members of several ethnic origins held hands together and performed circle dances.

"I want Canadians to feel the warm hospitality of the Macedonian people," said pavilion chairperson Vera Jankulov.

"People from Macedonia will feel like they're at home in their own village ... It will bring back memories.

A total of 250 people aged 8 to 24 performed with their folk-dancing groups as guest feasted on home-cooked fare of stuffed peppers, shish kebab,