Get your fill of the polka at this weekend's 37th annual Polish Festival.
The event, which kicks off a summer of ethnic festivals, takes place at the Pulaski Monument at Patterson Park Friday through Sunday. The festival encompasses several aspects of Polish heritage including music, food and dance.
Authentic Polish music, including polka, will be played throughout the festival on one of the three stages, as well as dancing from the P.K.M. Polish Folk Dance Group of Philadelphia on Saturday and the Krakowianka dancers from Baltimore on Sunday.
"People seem to really enjoy seeing authentic costumes and the brilliant colors and intricacies of the costumes," said Stephen Lesniewski Jr., President of the Polish Community Association of Maryland Inc. "Kids are mesmerized by watching some of this."
The festival is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday, but the opening ceremonies for the festival begin at 7 p.m. Friday.
"All of the city dignitaries and other people from polish organizations and the Polish Embassy in Washington D.C. are invited to take part in the ceremony," Lesniewski said.
The festival will also feature a heritage tent, which will be placed within the fences of the Pulaski Monument, because of its significance to Poland. Brigadier General Count Casimir Pulaski fought, and died, in the Revolutionary War, and was honored by Polish immigrants with the Pulaski monument. This piece of Polish history, and others, can be explored more in depth at the heritage tent.
"It consists of all the Polish related artifacts and culture on display," said Lesniewski. "They also have Polish language classes."
A weekend schedule of events will be handed out at the festival for times of events, including those taking place in the heritage tent such as children's storytelling and language classes.
The Polish festival wouldn't be complete without the various drinks and cuisine of Poland, including the "infamous Polish bars and beer," according to Lesniewski.
There will also be a heavy emphasis on food, as in most cultural events. Visitors can try the kielbasa and perogies that Poland is famous for.
Here's a sneak peek at the other festivals coming up this summer.
•June 10-13: St. Nicholas Greek Folk Festival at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox
Church features traditional music, dancing and cuisine.
•June 18-20: African American Heritage Festival at Oriole Park at Camden Yards offers various musical performances, a carnival and mini "villages" with various information booths.
•June 26-27: LatinoFest's 30th
anniversary will be marked with Latin music, dance, food and a celebration of the arts at Patterson Park.
•July 9-11: Caribbean Carnival Festival at Druid Hill Park starts with a parade showcasing traditional island garb and features live Caribbean entertainment including reggae and steel drum bands.
•Aug. 7-8: International Festival at Poly/Western High School celebrates Baltimore's cultural diversity through music, dancing and food.
•Aug. 14-15: FestAfrica 2010 at Patterson Park, August 14-15. FestAfrica will
feature performances by local African bands, as well as fashion shows, dance performances and art and crafts exhibits.
•Sept. 11-12: Ukrainian Festival at Patterson Park includes four Ukrainian dance performances, a Ukrainian Easter Eggs demonstration, as well as various children's activities and a beer garden.
•Oct. 15-17: Russian Festival at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church incorporates authentic Russian cuisine prepared by parishioners, imported Russian souvenirs and dance, music and choir performances.
Find more information on these upcoming festivals can be found at promotionandarts.com.
If you go
The festival is from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 9 p.m. on Sunday, and opening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. Friday at Patterson Park. Admission to the festival is $2 on Friday and $5 on Saturday and Sunday, and free for children 12 and younger when accompanied by an adult. The 10:30 a.m. Polish Mass on Sunday, which is done in Polish by a local priest, is open to the public free of charge.