By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
“We would hit as many halls as we could,” said Mike Boruta about one of Grand Rapids’ most popular events, Pulaski Days, which is this weekend, Oct. 4-6.
Since a young age, Boruta has headed out to check out the halls and all the activities that take place.
“We would hit the Falcons and end up at Kosciusko, that would pretty much end it,” Boruta said, adding he now goes with a family member after the Polka Mass (which he organizes), “after everything has settled down, take a ride and have a beer per hall to check things out.”
Boruta is just one of 11 people who serve on the board that oversees the annual event that features Polish food, entertainment and fun. Recently, Boruta and board member Chip Kozal joined Polish Pod Café host Laura Szczepanek to talk about all things Pulaski Days.
To listen to the entire Polish Pod Café, click here.
“Pulaski weekend that is what it is all about,” Kozal said during the show. “You go to all these clubs to eat all this Polish food because when is the next time you are going to eat Polish food?”
The food is definitely the star with the 14 halls that participate in the annual event featuring an array of Polish options such as Szcepanek’s famous Dill Pickle Soup at The 5th Street Hall, 701 Fifith St. to NW, to the Lithuanian food at the Vytautas Aid Society, 1300 Hamilton NW.
“You know what is really cool about Pulaski weekend?” Szcepanek said. “There are 14 halls on the east side and the west side and every single one of these halls has something unique, something different. So you want to try and make it to every single one of these places.”
The entertainment is just as plentiful with both Friday and Saturday backed with musicians performing at several of the halls.
Boruta pointed out that this event is specifically for the halls with Pulaski Days being the key weekend for many of them to sustained their operations throughout the year. The halls seek special licenses to sell to the public during this time. Normally, the halls are only allowed to sell to members. Memberships at many of the halls runs about $25 and is open to the general public.
Kozal noted that many of the halls are walkable. On pulaskidays.org, there are four routes offered for residents to plan their activities. There is also a shuttle available with the main hub at Sibley School, 921 Jackson NW. (Enter through the exit.)
Key events for the weekend:
Saturday, Oct. 5: The Pulaski Day Parade is at 11 a.m. starting at Fulton Street between Seward and Valley. The awards presentation is after the parade at Laddies Hall, 58 Lanes SW.
Sunday, Oct. 6: The Polka Mass is at 10 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 1140 Muskegon NW.
All the halls have children’s activities up until about 9 p.m. For complete details, visit pulaskidays.org.
