Pulaski Wisconsin 7-23-09

Pulaski Wisconsin 7-23-09


We arrived at the Polka Days an hour early so we could re-con the event. Thursday was dollar day. A few people were already lined up to pay their entry fee. Two large tents were set up for two bands per tent. A wooden dance floor was ready for the fun. This was the 31st Annual Pulaski Polka Days. This town of thirty thousand knows how to prepare. Several large food and beer booths were making last minute preparations for the crowd. They were sponsored by local FAA, Knights of Columbus and the like. There was list of how the event funds had helped the community last year.

Food was Polish along with hamburgers. Later in the evening I had delicious cheese pierogies (sp?) that was light deep fried. Polish sausage and sauerkraut hit the spot for Stan. We skipped on the duck soup - Cziarnina (sp?).

Once the bands and the dancing started the crowds came. We situated ourselves in the first row of the bleachers at the end of one of the tents. These tents were far enough apart from so the music didn't bleed across the park.

The dancers really go after the Polka. They have a little different step than what I've seen in Colorado. It is more like a skip or hop with a soft bounce. The one notable difference in this crowd of people was the age. This place was full of all ages from teenager up to the oldies like us. It is so nice to see the Polka dancing tradition carried forward into the next generation for some good clean exercising fun.



Two bands we heard the first day were also related. Maroszek Brothers were the middle aged guys and the New Generation were the son of one of the Maroszek group. Most bands had a concertina, accordion, a couple of trumpet players and drums. Some had a clarinet and/or a saxophone. It is a very interesting sound.

The music is contagious, played at a preppy dance tempo that doesn't wear you out as much as some of the speedy players from Colorado. The dance floors were covered with dance wax and some gravel making the floor slicker than snot. They brushed it off to make it work perfectly.

There were a couple of 12 foot square fenced in the areas that people tossed their empty beer / soda cans. I'll keep you posted on the progress of filling that.

Here is a sampling of the music. The rest of the music is on my polka blog.

On our way home we stopped downtown to look at the Zielinski's ballroom which will be added to the venue for Friday and Saturday. We came across the must delicious bakery packed with people seeking a yummy treat or more food. They had every delightful donut - pastry item you have ever seen in a bakery. Yummo.