A little rain didn't dampen the fun at Polish Fest.
(PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff)
Warm up the fountain!
(PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff)
Polka at the Miller Lite Oasis.
(PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff)
Welcome.
(PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff)
Ironic t-shirts abound.
(PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff)
Mmm ... Polish sausage.
(PHOTO: Andy Tarnoff)
"Na zdrowie" is a Polish toast that means “to your health.”
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
The Southwest Chess Club sponsored a chess area in the Harley Davidson VIP area, where chess masters and experts played festival-goers – and provided them with some much-needed shade. Prizes were awarded to anyone beating a chess master.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
Vendors at the Sukiennice Marketplace had plenty of Polish patriotism on sale.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
Attendees flocked to the Polish Fest Kuchnia for traditional delicacies like golabki and pierogi.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
This reproduction of one of the towers of the Mariacki Church of St. Mary in Krakow represents the ancient legend of a trumpeter who saved the city from invading Tartars.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
Vendors at the Folk Arts tent had plenty of traditional Polish crafts for sale. Especially popular were the wianki, traditional floral head wreaths.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
Poland’s Highland Sheepdogs were on display at the Cultural Village. The dogs originate from the Tatra Mountains of southern Poland and are considered a rare breed; there are only around 3,000 in existence today.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
The Cultural Village also featured displays by the Polish Geneological Society, the campaign to restore the Thaddeus Kosciuszko Monument, and the Church of the Latter-Day Saints booth (pictured) where attendees could meet with a consultant and explore their Polish heritage.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
The Thaddeus Kosciuszko Monument in Kosciuszko Park was dedicated in 1905 and has been a landmark of Milwaukee’s Polish community for over 100 years. The bronze sculpture is in need of restoration.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
The festival grounds were full of nods to the importance of religion in the culture of Poland, with roadside shrines displaying the Nativity (pictured) and the Black Madonna.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
Attendees enjoyed “Fifty-Cent Friday” at Polish Fest, where from the hours of noon to 5 p.m. general admission cost only 50 cents.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
Couples danced at the Folk Stage as local band Flipsyde with Red Deacons performed.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
The Syrena Polish Folk Dancers Ensemble gave a fashion show at the Folk Stage, explaining the cultural significance of the detail on their elaborate costumes, as well as providing points of origin for different outfits.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
Another fashion show costume.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
A member of the Syrena Polish Folk Dancers Ensemble twirls at the Folk Stage during the Polish Fashion Show.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
Dominika Lulewicz, Roman Kosarzycki, Margaret Naczek and Greg Ramski strut their stuff during the Syrena Polish Fashion Show.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
Festival-goers of all ages enjoyed the dance space in front of the Non-Stop Polka Stage to the music of Jimmy K & Ethnic Jazz.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
Nothing complements a game of chess like pierogi...
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
... and nothing washes them down better than Tyskie, imported straight from Poland.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
The markets have plenty of souvenirs.
(PHOTO: OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writers)
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