Milwaukee’s Polish Fest ranks as largest
celebration of Polish culture in the U.S.

FOR THE 29TH YEAR, Polish Fest kicks off Milwaukee’s unique series of summer ethnic festivals June 18-20 at Maier Festival Park (Summerfest grounds) on Lake Michigan.

Recognized as the largest celebration of Polish culture in the U.S., the three-day festival features music, dance and food. A new addition is Poland’s favorite brew, Tyskie beer.

Music from classical to contemporary takes center stage as Polish Fest celebrates both the 200th anniversary of the birth of romantic composer Fryderyk Chopin and the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ignacy Paderewski, renowned Polish pianist and composer. Paderewski also helped re-establish Poland as an independent nation in 1918 and led the country as prime minister.

The Chopin celebration includes the 12th annual Chopin Youth Piano Competition. Youth from 10 to 18 will compete in two divisions, beginning at 12:30 p.m. Sunday on the Sobieski Vodka Cultural Stage.

Non-stop music
Participation is the name of the game at the AirTran Non-Stop Polka stage, with groups like Tony Blazonczyk’s New Phaze, Jimmy K & Ethnic Jazz from Ohio, Jim Killian & Honky Chicago from Illinois, the Polka Country Musicians from Connecticut, The Knewz from New York and numerous Wisconsin groups.

Headlining the Miller Contemporary Stage are popular groups like the Doo-Wop Daddies, Jimmy Sturr and his Orchestra from New York and John Gorá & Gorále from Canada. Always popular as well are the Syrena & Syrenka Polish Folk Dance Ensemble and Krakow Polish Dancers from Milwaukee.

Performers on the Sobieski Vodka Cultural Stage include the Polanie Band. The Folk Stage brings additional groups and polka lessons and the Children’s Stage keeps youngsters busy with top acts like magician David Seebach.

Many food options, vodka tastings
More than 20 different restaurants are represented at the festival, offering ethnic specialties like Polish sausage; pierogi made of meat, cheese and potato; potato pancakes and hunter’s stew. Well-known Milwaukee restaurants like Polonez and Mader’s will be represented, with others like Saz’s State House providing variety.

Tyskie beer, flown from Poland, quenches festgoers’ thirst through a cooperative arrangement with MillerCoors. And some of Poland’s finest vodkas, including Sobieski, as well as meads and liqueurs, tantalize at tastings scheduled for 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday.

Demonstrations in Cultural Area
At Polish Fest’s popular Cultural Village, artists demonstrate traditional crafts including woodcarving, paper cutting (wycinanki), decorating eggs (pisanki) and metalworking. Polish painters display their work in a market square, made to represent Kazimierz Dolny, a picturesque artists’ colony on the banks of the Vistula River.

Back again are Polish Sheepdogs, including Highland (Tatra) and lowland (PONS) breeds.

Experts from the Polish Genealogical Society of America help visitors trace their roots. And displays tell the stories of two of Milwaukee’s grandest Polish monuments, St. Josaphat Basilica and the statue of General Tadeusz Kosciuszko.

At the Sukiennice or outdoor marketplace, tempting treasures for purchase include beautiful amber jewelry, Boleslawiec pottery, blown glass ornaments, Polish crystal, hand-carved wooden boxes and many festival souvenirs.

‘50-CENT’ FRIDAY STARTS FEST ON AN ECONOMICAL NOTE

“50-cent Friday” opens Polish Fest June 18. Admission will be only 50 cents from noon to 5 p.m. and only $5 from 5 to midnight.

The regular Saturday and Sunday admission rates are still economical: $12 general admission at the gate ($10 in advance at Pick ‘n Save and Copps supermarkets and at the Polish Center of Wisconsin); $10 for seniors (55+), with children under 15 free.

On Sunday, a traditional Polish Mass will be celebrated by Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki at 10:15 a.m. Gates close at 11 a.m. The Mass is free and entrance into Polish Fest is $4 following the Mass. To celebrate Father’s Day Sunday, dads are admitted free from 4-6 p.m. with a child of any age.

Hours of the festival are noon to midnight Friday and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 414-529-2140 or visit www.polishfest.org.