Tue 3/4 @ 5AM-4PM
Tue 3/4 @ 5-9PM
It’s Paczki Day! Some of described it as the Polish version of Mardi Gras. In any case, it’s the last day to gorge yourself on these Polish pastries before Lent.
Ground zero for Cleveland Paczki Day is Rudy’s Strudel and Bakery in Parma. It opens at 5am for a day of festivities, and you WILL want to get there early because they have an overflow crowd most of the day. Their neighbor, The Current Year Records and Tapes, will get things going spinning vinyl polka records for a balloon and confetti drop and a live meet-and-greet with B-movie hosts The Mummy and the Monkey. At 10am the polka goes live with Tom Mroczka and the Music Box, who will perform, among other things, “The Paczki Polka.”
There are giveaways all day, but the main event is the dozens of sweet and savory paczki flavors Rudy’s offers including two developed for this year by Rudy’s owner Lidia: mimosa with blood orange mimosa in a buttercream filling, a partnership with Immigrant Son Brewery to honor International Women’s Day, and Super Host Paczki, with Super Man ice cream in the buttercream filling, honoring Cleveland legend Marty Sullivan.
From 1-4pm there’ll be what they describe as “a massive Mardi Gras blast,” with Bob Nastanovich from indie rock darlings Pavement and The Current Year’s Michael Stutz spinning “bubblegum bass, malibu ghost beats, french disco, balearic hyperpop, tropical house, Cajun rockabilly and lots of New Orleans magic!” Laura Wimbels, host of Lenora’s Midnight Rental, will be tossing the beads, and there’ll be a hot pierogi bar, a Cajun-style menu and Immigrant son Brewery Paczki Beer on tap. Get all the info here.
Not tired yet? You can also celebrate Paczki Day at EDWINS restaurant, at their new location at Cedar-Fairmount (formerly Nighttown). They’ll be celebrating from 5-9pm with live polka music by the Trans Am Euro Mitts and a menu featuring pierogi, kielbasa, sauerkraut, golabki (cabbage rolls) and beer. Bring the whole family — kids under 15 get a big break on the ticket price. Get tickets here.