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.
“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.”
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: