Fri 4/29 @ 6:30-8:30PM
Sat 4/30 @ 3-7:30PM
Sun 5/1 @ noon-6PM
Polish Constitution Day is May 3, the day that, in 1791, Poland declared its constitution, the first in Europe, celebrated in Poland similar to our July 4. The festival fell out of favor during Poland’s Communist years (1947-1989) but has returned full force as the Republic of Poland celebrates its freedom.
The Cleveland celebration is actually going to be Polish Constitution weekend, with three days of events presented by the Polish American Congress – Ohio Division in collaboration with Polish Village Parma, where most of the events take place.
It kicks off Friday evening April 29 @ 6:30-830PM with a Polish Happy Hour, featuring food, drinks, music, games and camaraderie at the Ridge Road Tavern in Parma. The $20 admission includes two drinks ticket.
On Saturday April 30 @ 3-7:30pm, the action moves over to Slavic Village’s Polish American Cultural Center for “A Taste of Polish Culture.” You can tour the Polish museum and its garden, a stroll through Polish history, followed by a cultural program and dinner.
On Sunday May 1 @ noon there’s a celebratory mass at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Parma, with an English liturgy with Polish hymns and authentic folk costumes. Join the festival from noon-6pm at the Union Catholic Credit Union in Parma’s Polish Village, with food, drinks, music and an ethnic marketplace. Will there be pierogi? Yes. The grand parade steps off in Parma’s Polish Village at 3pm. Brandon Chrostowski (pictured), founder of EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute, is the grand Marshall.
And let’s hear no more Polish jokes after the way Polish animal welfare groups have stepped up to serve pets fleeing Ukraine with their humans.