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It's Dyngus Day in Cleveland: Here's what to expect

Cleveland's annual Polish celebration is back!

CLEVELAND — Cleveland’s 11th annual Dyngus Day has arrived with Polish dancing, paczki and piwo all set for Monday, April 5 – but the celebration will look a bit different this year due to COVID-19 concerns.

But before we get too far… You might be asking: “What is Dyngus Day?” It’s the holiday that falls on the Monday after Easter that honors Polish culture and ways to “low off a little bit of steam” after Lent.

This year’s Dyngus Day will be split into three separate events, each with a limit of 100 tickets per session in order to ensure COVID-19 safety precautions. A live stream will also be available on the Dyngus Day Facebook page for those who can’t attend.

Tickets for all three sessions are sold out.

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“Meeting the demands of polka-party-craving-Clevelanders, each session will feature a lineup of entertainment including activities like pierogi eating contests, polka dancing and live entertainment,” organizers announced Friday in a press release. “DJ Kishka – renowned Polka personality – will serve as the host of the daylong celebration at Forest City Brewery, the oldest Beer Garden in Ohio.”

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Here are Dyngus Day event highlights:

SESSION ONE:

  • 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Opening Ceremony with DJ Kishka
  • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: The Chardon Polka Band    
  • 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Pierogi Eating Contest

SESSION TWO:

  • 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.: Kickoff with DJ Kishka
  • 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Fred Ziwich
  • 5 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Polish Bingo

SESSION THREE:

  • 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Don Wojtila
  • 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Miss Dyngus Day Contest
  • 9 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Closing and Polka fun

In anticipation of brighter days ahead, Dyngus Day will be working toward its first-ever Dyngus Day “Kishka Fest” in Fall of 2021, where people can once again attend the polka-lined streets.

Watch video from 2020's virtual Dyngus Day celebration in the player below:

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