Mon 4/21 @ 10AM-8PM
It’s no surprise that the 15th annual Dyngus Day, happening on a shut-down stretch of Detroit Avenue in Gordon Square, is a bit of a revelry. The Polish-American festival celebrates the end of Lent and the Easter season, taking place the Monday after what was once a solemn holiday (now more about bunnies and baskets filled with pastel eggs and peeps).
Cleveland’s iteration was founded by Justin Gorski, better known as DJ Kishka when he puts on his beard and plays polka music. He’s hosting the event of course, which features lots of live music (the Chardon Polka Band, Fred Zwich, Bob Earl and the Polish All-Stars, Ed Rodick, Die Ünprönöüncëäblës, the very un-Polish but fun Da Land Brass Band) on stages outside the Happy Dog and at Gordon Green, a procession, a Miss Dyngus Day contest (contestants should have a favorite polka tune and babushka), a pierogi eating contest, and lots of traditional food and drink (more pierogis).
All the bars up and down that stretch of Detroit will be celebrating and there’s a party at Gordon Green as well. Polka til you drop!
If you haven’t had enough party as things start to wind down at Gordon Square, head over to the Treelawn Music Hall in the Waterloo Arts District for a Dyngus Day Bash with the Brian Papesh Party Band, starting at 7pm.