The 33rd annual Polish Festival kicks off the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts 2006 Showcase of Nations Ethnic Festivals with authentic Polish dancing, live music and delicious pierogi.
Secretary of the Polish Community Association of Maryland Halina Maliszewski said that most people come for “the food, Polish beer and Polish liquor.” The festival guarantees delicious dishes like Polish hot dogs, kielbasa, sauerkraut and, of course, pierogi.
“The ladies from the Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church will be making homemade Polish pierogi of all different types,” Maliszewski said. Last year, the festival drew about 25,000 visitors during their three-day period.
This year?s festival will feature the Polka Country Musicians from Connecticut, Lil John and the ATM Band and many more local musicians. The Stella Polonia Dancers from Toronto will perform native Polish dances. The festival will also feature arts and craft activities, cultural exhibits and authentic food and drink.
“Back when Baltimore first started the ethnic festivals, we were the first ones to begin the tradition,” Maliszewski said. The Polish Association, Father Andrzej Bieganowski, pastor of the Holy Cross Polish National Church on South Broadway, his wife and church volunteers make the festival what it is today. “It?s all thanks to volunteers that this all gets put together,” Maliszewski said.
The festival will be held in Patterson Park on the corner of Eastern and Linwood avenues.
Polish Festival
Where: Patterson Park, Corner of Eastern and Linwood avenues
When: Noon Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Sunday
Tickets: $2 to $4, free for children younger than 12
Info: 410-879-6336
