Community Corner
Your Guide to the 39th Annual Polish Festival
Don't miss any of the fun at this weekend's Polish Festival in Riverhead.
This weekend, thousands will flock to Riverhead for one of the most popular events of the year, the 39th Annual Polish Town Civic Street Fair and Festival.
Every year, crowds come to taste Polish fare, enjoy vendors' wares, bring the little ones to a carnival — and to kick up their heels to traditional polkas.
The fair got its start in 1975, after the Polish Town Civic Association organized the event to raise funds. The fair was designed to be reminiscent of those held in Poland, and includes a celebration of Polish heritage, with foods, music, dance — traditional polkas —and a reenactment of a traditional Polish wedding at on Pulaski Street.
The Polish Festival is always presided over by the Polish Queen. This year, Baiting Hollow resident Ashley Yakaboski was crowned the 2013 Polish Queen.
Here's a rundown of events for the festival, which takes place on both Saturday and Sunday:Saturday
11:30 a.m.: Raising of the flag at the memorial, corner of Pulaski Street and Osborne Avenue.
12 p.m.: Re-enactment of a traditional old-fashioned Polish wedding, St. Isidore's Church.
12 p.m. until 4 p.m.: Mike Niemic Band, playing at the Showmobile (both days)
10 a.m. until 12 p.m.; 2 p.m. until 4 p.m.: DJ Hank (both days)
2 p.m.: Introduction of dignitaries
Dancers from the St. Maximillian Kolbe Polish School Program will perform at the Showmobile in the afternoon.
Carnival (both days)
Saturday evening Polka Fest begins at 3:30 p.m. (Paid admission, $13 for adults, children under 12, $5).
Featuring Eddie Forman and Dennis Polinsky and the Mastromen.
Vendors will be onhand. Food a'plenty will be available, including traditional favorites such as kielbasa sandwiches, homemade pierogi, and babka.
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