From June 22 to 24, 2007, Milwaukee, Wisconsin held its annual Polish Fest located at Summerfest Grounds 200 North Harbor Drive. This year marked the 26th annual celebration of Polish heritage, which is the biggest in all of the United States.

This event was accessible to the public for the entire weekend. The festival had a lot to offer not only to Polish-Americans, but also to people from different backgrounds, who appeared at noon when the doors opened. Upon entering the Summerfest Grounds, people were welcomed by the Polka Police, who offered free dance lessons.

Stages were set up all across the grounds. The Miller Contemporary Stage presented Doo-Wop Daddies, Jeff Winard, and Anya. Non-Stop Polka Stage highlighted Norn Dombrowski & the Hap-E-Notes, DyVersaCo, and Polka Country Musicians. The opening ceremony, Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble, and classical accordionist, Lidia Kaminka preformed inside the Culture Stage. Steve Meisner, Polka Lessons, and Michael James Dombrowski were located at the Folk Stage.

A tent on the east side of the Summerfest Grounds displayed the history of Polish immigrants from the past in Jamestown to more modern times in the late 1920’s. This place was also home to memories of a few Polish-American celebrities such as Liberace and Ivan Putski. The west side tent, on the other hand, presented artists demonstrating their talents in Pisanki (Easter Egg decorating), Wycinanki (paper cutting), Wianki (floral headwreath making), metalworking, and woodcarving.

The small grass field that had oversized statues of Amber Castle of Jurate- mistress of the sea, Pan Twardowski- a Polish folklore tale about a man who sold his soul to the devil to gain great knowledge and power, and Janosik- Polish version of Robin Hood robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Other Polish folklore sculptures included The Wawel Dragon- whose lair was a den under Wawel Hill on the banks of the Vistula River, Syrena- the half woman half fish, and the Trumpeter of Krakow- watchman playing “Hejnal” to protect from the Turk invasion. Along the same area in the grass field was a set of displays of Polish sheepdog: Polskie Owczarki Podhalanski and Polski Owczarki Nizinne.

The non-stop music helped to brighten up the atmosphere. Children as young as three years old preformed to the Polka music and couples joined on the fun too. Senior citizens danced as if they were in their twenties again. Those who were not able to dance still clapped their hands or tapped their foot with the beat.

Many of the bands, dancers, actors, and artists came from all over United States to contribute to Polish Fests; New York, Michigan, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Illinois, and Pennsylvania were strongly represented; Canada and performers from various areas from Poland also partook in the celebrations.

The foods of the event consisted of traditional Polish dishes among which were Krakus Polish Ham, Klement’s Polish Sausage, pierogi, placki ziemniaczane, bigos, zupa grzybowa, Czarnina, Paczki, Chrusciki, and Zapiekanki.

One of the biggest hits on hot sunny days of the fest were the Polish drinks. Polish vodkas, meads, and liqueurs were a popular with the crowd. The three high quality vodkas present Zytnia, Debowa, and Stawski Koneser.

On Sunday, the Polish Fest began with a Catholic Mass at 10:15 A.M. with a read and singing in English and Polish provided by Rev. Jerome M. Hudziak and Adalbert Men’s Choir.

This was just a sample of Polish culture. The music, dancing, and the friendly atmosphere is what Poland and Polish Fest in Milwaukee, WI are all about.