Thu 11/22-Sat 11/24
Cleveland’s annual Thanksgiving polka weekend is one of its longest-running traditions, now in its 55th year. It was started by polka rado DJ/polka promoter Tony Petkovsek in 1963 and it’s still going strong at the Downtown Marriott.
Each year, polka musicians and lovers converge on Cleveland from across the country, especially from polka strongholds in the Great Lakes region, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. They spend three days dancing to name bands in the ballroom, taking in jam sessions in meeting rooms, enjoying traditional Slovenian food including the winner of the Slovenian Sausage competition at the SNPJ Farm in September, and catching up with old friends. The highlight of the weekend is the annual Polka Hall of Fame awards on Saturday, also taking place in the Marriott ballroom, followed by the popular Polka Mass.
This year’s performers include Canadian polka king Walter Ostanek, Nashville-based Joey Miskulin who got his start in Frankie Yankovic’s band as a teenager, Alex Meixner who got HIS start with Ostanek, Mikey Dee, Eddie Rodick, Harmonia, Fred Ziwich, and Klancnik and friends, among many others.
Tickets for Thursday (7pm-midnight) are $15; Friday’s tickets (1pm-midnight) are $20; Saturday evening tickets are $15. Tickets to the awards show are $25.
clevelandstyle.com/thanksgiving~weekend
Cleveland, OH 44114