By John D. Gonzalez
WKTV Contributing Writer

After taking 2020 off because of Covid-19 restrictions, the annual Pulaski Days celebration on the west side of Grand Rapids returns this weekend, Oct. 1-3.

The theme of Pulaski Days 2021 sums it up best:

“Keep Calm and Polka On!”

“We have all experienced some sort of challenge over the past year and a half,” said longtime resident Eddie Sypniewski, a local event promoter and advocate for the west side.

“It’s time to step back, take a deep breath and ‘stay calm and polka on!’”

 

The return of the 49th annual event means a lot to the Polish community, and those who frequent the halls throughout the year. Pulaski Days is a great opportunity to spend the weekend in food, drink and entertainment when 14 halls are open to the public.

What does Sypniewski love most about Pulaski Days?

“I love it all!” he said. “Family, food, music, tradition. The parade and Polka Mass are there for all to participate.”

Events earlier this week such as the flag-raising ceremony, and the kielbasa and pierogi-eating contests, have brought out larger than expected crowds, Pulaski Days Queen Katie Egan said in a recent interview with WZZM-TV 13’s Brent Ashcroft.

“The turnout has been amazing, more than even in year’s past,” she said. “I feel like people are anxious to get back out and back into Pulaski Days. The buzz is good. We’re going to have a big turnout this weekend.

Pulaski Days on the west side of Grand Rapids dates back to 1973, and honors Revolutionary War Hero Gen. Casimir Pulaski. Fourteen private halls will be open to the public this weekend featuring Polish food, music, and dancing.

Each hall will have a variety of events. The parade is at 11 a.m. Saturday and runs down Michigan Street starting at College Avenue and ends at Diamond Avenue.

The polka Mass is at 10 a.m. Sunday at Holy Spirit Church.

Polish Halls open to the public Oct. 1-3:

• American Legion Post 459 (658 Michigan Ave NE)
• Knights of Columbus (1104 Muskegon NW)
• Polish Falcons (957 W Fulton) 
• Polish National Aid Society – Jackson Street Hall (921 Jackson St NW)
• Sacred Heart Benevolent Society Eastern Avenue Hall (506 Eastern Ave NE)
• Sacred Heart Club – Kosciuszko Hall (935 Park St SW)
• Saint Adalberts Aid Society – 5th Street Hall (701 5th Street NW)
• Saint Casimir’s – 6th Street Hall (649 6th St NW)
• Saint Isidores Aid Society – Diamond Hall, home of the Pulaski Days Monument and Pulaski Square (435 Diamond NE)
• Saint Ladislaus Aid Society “Laddies Hall” (58 Lane Ave SW)
• Saint Stanislaus – Little Hall (823 Michigan Ave NE)
• Saints Peter & Paul Aid Society – Saint Georges (1513 Quarry NW)
• Sons & Daughters Club (1057 Hamilton NW)
• Vytautas Aid Society (1300 Hamilton Ave NW)
  

For more information, including a list of events, go to pulaskidays.org.


John D. Gonzalez is a digital journalist with 30-plus years of experience as a food, travel, craft beer and arts & entertainment reporter based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He’s an early adopter of Social Media and SEO expert. Follow him on his journey to discover what’s next. You can find him on Twitter as @MichiganGonzo, on Instagram @MichiganGonzo and Facebook at @GRGonzo. He also relaunched his YouTube Channel. Email him story ideas and tips at michigangonzo@gmail.com.

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