Archive for June 17th, 2018
2018 Polish Fest Report
2018 POLISH FEST
The annual celebration of Polish heritage
The 37th edition of the Polish Fest took place this year on June 15, 16 and 17. Hosted again on the Summerfest grounds near Milwaukee’s lakefront, the largest Polish Festival on the American soil featured Polish folk dances, lively music, displays of Polish arts and crafts, traditional Polish foods, cooking demonstrations, fireworks, a colorful selection of Polish-themed souvenirs and a variety of educational programs. Some of the young attendees had also a chance to channel their competitive streak during the Polish Fest Pageants and the Chopin Youth Piano Competition.
photo gallery
In contrast to the 2017 Polish Fest accenting the Tadeusz Kościuszko bicentennial, the focus of educational events this year was the 100th anniversary of Poland’s Independence. At the Speakers Forum, Donald Pienkos (professor emeritus of political science, UW-Milwaukee) and Neal Pease (professor of history, UW-Milwaukee) gave several passionate presentations recounting the main facets and protagonists of the events leading to the rebirth of Polish state in 1918.
Another highlight of the Poland’s centennial theme was the Women of Independence exhibit illuminating the frequently overlooked fact that just two weeks after the declaration of Independence, Polish women gained full voting rights (read more about this event in our January 2018 post describing all the people, organization and events celebrated in Poland in 2018). The exhibit was prepared by the Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and displayed on the fest grounds courtesy of Polanki, The Polish Women’s Cultural Club from Milwaukee.
As usual, the Polish American Congress – Wisconsin Division hosted a booth displaying informational materials about its activities. In addition to learning about programs like Wisconsin Study in Poland, visitors had also a chance to pick up the Centennial of Poland’s Rebirth leaflet summarizing the key events leading to Poland regaining its sovereignty in 1918 and the newly revised booklet Do you know Poland? (both available on this page for download).
Several PAC members generously volunteered to share their knowledge about Polish culture and our organization. Our big thanks go to Karen Bauza, Rita Dow, Majka Drewitz, Camille Faherty, Judith Free, Jerzy Pasko, David Rydzewski, Nancy Staats, Derek Zarzeczny, Thomas Zarzeczny and Krystyna Zuzanski. To see your smiling face in the volunteer column next year, sign up for the 2019 Polish Fest roster.
Other presenters in the Speakers Forum included Helena Pycior (professor of history, emerita, UW-Milwaukee) discussing the milestone years of Marie Skłodowska-Curie, historian John Gurda highlighting the role of Polish workers in the Eight-Hour Movement of 1886, and columnist Steven Szabados offering information useful in genealogical research. And all those interested in finding their ancestors could examine their options and even get some immediate help from the Polish Genealogical Society of America and Milwaukee County Genealogical Society. The booths of these two groups were located in the “Polish Organizations” tent, where visitors could also learn about activities of many other associations serving the needs of Polish communities the Milwaukee area.
There were also some opportunities to learn some basics of Polish language and enjoy videos and colorful drawings showing the beauty of Poland – all courtesy of staff and students of the Catholic School of Jan Paul II.
Saturday was a special day for Polish folk dance enthusiasts with non-stop performances on the largest stage of the event. In costumes displaying a kaleidoscopic reaches of colors, the lineup of dance groups included ensembles from Illinois (Wesoly Lud, Whispers and Wici), Michigan (Wawel Polish Dancers), Canada (Polonez Polish Canadian Folk Ensemble ) and Milwaukee’s own Syrena Polish Folk Dance Ensemble. [A group of musically gifted dancers of Syrena group performed also folk music on the festival walkways.] The warmest applause, however, went to the young dancers of Polish Highlander Ensemble “Tatry” (see the video box to the left) arriving straight from the Podhale region in Poland. As usual, the spectacular folk dance marathon ended with the dazzling Polish Folk Dance Gala hosted by PFDAA (Polish Folk Dance Association of the Americas).
On Sunday morning, the huge dancers’ venue became a gathering place for the catholic faithful. This year’s mass was celebrated by Father Aron Laskiewicz and the chosen charity was the St. Ann Rest Home, a non-profit nursing home operated by Dominican Sisters.
Archived Posts
- 2024 Independence Day and Veteran Day invitation
- 80th Anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising
- 2024 Wianki Festival
- 2024 Polish Constitution Day in Wisconsin
- 2023 Merry Christmas
- 2023 Lighting the Light of Freedom on Dec 13 at 7:30pm
- Independence Day and Veteran Day invitation
- 2023 Wianki Festival
- 2023 May 3rd Constitution Day Celebration
- 2023 Lecture on Polish Borders by Prof. Don Pienkos
- 2023 REMEMBER THIS: Jan Karski movie premieres on PBS Wisconsin
- 2023 Upcoming lectures in the Polish Center of Wisconsin
- 2022 Polish National Independence Day
- 2022 Independence and Veteran Day Luncheon (invitation)
- 2022 Wianki, Polish Celebration of Noc Świętojańska (St. John’s Night)
- Celebrating Constitution of May 3, 1791 in Polish Center of Wisconsin
- 2022 Polish Constitution Day, Polish Flag Day and the Day of Polonia
- 2022 March Bulletin
- 2022 Polonia For Ukraine Donations
- 2022 Polish American Congress Condemns Russian Invasion of Ukraine
- 2022 PAC-WI State Division Letters to WI Senators and Representatives
- 2021 Polish Christmas Carols
- 2021 Panel Discussion: Martial Law in Poland 1981-1983 (REPORT)
- 2021 Panel Discussion: Martial Law. Poland 1981-1983 (invitation)
- 2021 Solidarity: Underground Publishing and Martial Law 1981-1983
- 2021 Polish Independence Day and Veterans Day
- 2021 Polish Independence Day and Veterans Day Luncheon
- 2021 Prof. Pienkos lecture: Polish Vote in US Presidential Elections
- 2021 POLISH HERITAGE MONTH EVENTS
- 2021 “Freedom” Monument Unveiled in Stevens Point, Wisconsin
- 2021 PCW Picnic and Fair
- 2021 Remembering Września Children Strikes (1901-1903)
- 2021 May 3 Constitution Day
- 2021 DYKP Contest Winners and Answers
- 2021 DYKP CONTEST EXTENDED and CASIMIR PULASKI DAY
- 2021 February announcements
- 2021 Polish Ministry of Education and Science oficials visit Wisconsin
- 2021 DYKP Contest, KF Gallery and Dr. Pease lectures
- 2020 Help Enact Resolution commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Katyn Massacre
- 2020 Independence And Veterans Day
- 2020 Remembering Paderewski
- 2020 POLISH HERITAGE MONTH
- 2020 Solidarity born 40 years ago
- 2020 Battle of Warsaw Centenary
- 2020 The Warsaw Rising Remembrance
- 2020 June/July News: Polish Elections, Polish Films Online and more
- 2020 Poland: Virtual Tours
- Centennial of John Paul II’s Birth
- 2020 Celebrating Polish Flag, Polonia and Constitution of May 3rd
- 2020 Polish Easter Traditions
- 2020 Census and Annual Election
- Flavor of Poland (Update 3)
- 2020 Copernicus, Banach & Enigma talk
- 2020 Do You Know Poland and other announcements
- 2020 Flavor of Poland (Update 2)
- 2020 People and Events of the Year
- 2019 Holidays
- 2019 December Medley
- 2019 Independence Celebration
- 2019 Independence Invitation
- 2019 WI Study in Poland Reports
- Lecture: Poland’s Entry Into the NATO
- August 2019 anniversaries
- 2019 Polish Fest
- Celebrating Polish Constitution and Ignacy Paderewski
- WSIP 2018 Reports (Wisconsin Study in Poland)
- 2018 Christmas Carols
- 2018 Polish Independence and Veterans Day
- November 2018 events
- October 2018 Events
- 2018 Kashube Lecture Notes
- September 2018 events
- 2018 Polish Fest Report
- Upcoming 2018 Polish Fest
- Celebrating Polish Constitution Day
- Poland 1979-1989 (panel discussion)
- Protest the Passage of S.447 in the U.S. House of Representatives
- STOP H.R.1226
- 2018 People and Events
- 2017 Polish Christmas Carols
- 2017 The Christmas Tradition of “Kraków Szopka”
- 2017 Dr. Mazurkiewicz lecture notes
- 2017 Polish Independence and Veterans Day
- 2017 Dr. Mazurkiewicz lecture
- 2017 KOŚCIUSZKO MEDIA GALLERY
- Mark Pienkos Named Polish American of the Year
- A DAY WITH GENERAL KOŚCIUSZKO
- 2017 KOŚCIUSZKO EVENTS IN SEPTEMBER
- 2017 POLISH DECLARATIONS of 1926
- 2017 Polish Fest
- 100 Years of White Sox Baseball
- 2017 Kosciuszko Bicentenary
- 2017 Annual and Election Meeting
- 2017 March/April events
- 2017 Kościuszko Lecture
- Reports of WSIP-2016 recipients
- 2017 Wisconsin Study in Poland
- 2016 Merry Christmas
- 2016 Independence Day Luncheon
- 2016 Polonia Forum
- December 12, 2015 Agenda
- CHRISTMAS GET-TOGETHER & GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Saturday, December 12, 2015 Agenda
- Dr. Mark Pienkos received Cavalier’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland
- October is Polish American Heritage Month
- Congressman Clement Zablocki” Civic Achievement Award”
- Please Attend the General Membership Meeting – September 26, 2015
- Activity Report – August 2015
- 2015 Elected Officers and Directors
- 2014 Congressman Clement Zablocki Civic Achievement Award Recipients
- Polish American Congress Meets in Washington D.C. – July 2015
- Issues Statement Condemning FBI Directory James Comey’s Comments
- 2015 Congressman Clement Zablocki” Civic Achievement Award”
- Civic Achievement Award
- PAC-WI Special Recognition
- Medal of Paderewski
- Pro Patria Medal
- Thank you to Chicago….
- OCTOBER PROCLAIMED POLISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN WISCONSIN
- 2012 Poland’s Independence Celebrated and Veterans Day Honored by the Wisconsin Polish American Congress
- How will Polish Americans vote in the 2012 Presidential Election and how influential might they be?
- City of Milwaukee POLISH VISA WAIVER PROGRAM resolution
- Dear Wisconsin Polish American Congress members,
- Message from the Executive Committee of the Polish American Congress To Presidents of PAC National Member Organizations and State Divisions Concerning PAC Position on TV Trwam
- Happy Easter
- Laureaci Nagrody Dziedzictwa im. Kongresmena Klemensa Zabłockiego na rok 2012