Syracuse, N.Y. -- Na zdrowie! The 69th annual Polish Festival returns to Clinton Square on June 21, 22 and 23.
The Polish Scholarship Fund (PSF) established the Polish Festival to celebrate of Polish culture, heritage and pride as American citizens. Attendance is free, and visitors can try a variety of Polish foods at the event, like kielbasa, pierogi, golabki (cabbage rolls), Bigos (hunter’s stew) Polish desserts and Polish beer.
The festival benefits PSF, which awards $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors and college students of Polish descent. This year, the fund will award scholarships to David Dombroski, Katherine Dristle, Olivia Grabowski, Gabriel Howe, Karolina Lata, Eli Kligerman, Merissa Oliveri, Marek Sokolowski and Katherine Wilburn.
Wally Gaworecki Jr., the owner of the Western Ranch Motor Lodge, will be awarded with the title of 2024 “Pole of the Year.” Gaworecki spent his life promoting and maintaining Polish culture in the Central New York community.
Wally Gaworecki Jr., the owner of the Western Ranch Motor Lodge on State Fair Boulevard. The hidden gems of Central New York. (Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com)Charlie Miller
There’s also a children’s area with games, a bounce house, face painting, Jeff the Magic Man and BJ the Friendly Clown. Vendors will sell Polish souvenirs, books, jewelry, T-shirts, hats, arts and crafts during the event.
One of the festival’s most popular attractions is the annual pierogi-eating contest, which takes place on Sunday, June 23 at 2 p.m. in the festival stage arena. Contestants must be 18 or older, and will have 3 minutes to eat as many pierogi as they can. The entry fee is $20 and the prizes are $125 for most pierogi eaten by a man and woman.
Performing live at the festival are: Use Caution, Adam Chrola, the Lechowia Polish Folk Dancers, John Stevens Doubleshot Polka Band, New Direction, Salt City Brass and Prime Time Horns.
Where: Clinton Square.
When: Friday from 4-10:30 p.m., Saturday from noon to 10:30, and Sunday from noon to 5.
How much: Free to attend.
More weekend events:
• LaLa Ri and Landon Cider headline CNY Pride Fest at Inner Harbor
• World Refugee Day festival returning to Schiller Park
• Browse the Summer in the City Market at City Hall Commons
Kielbasa was a featured treat during the Syracuse Polish Festival in Clinton Square, Syracuse, NY, Friday June 22, 2018. Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.comScott Schild | sschild@syracuse.