You can’t beet Polish Fest.
A reinvigorated Polish Fest took over Boston Street in Dorchester’s Polish Triangle on Sun., May 31, with buraczki (Polish beet salad), kielbasa, pierogis, draft beer, and incredible traditional dance performances.
The Krakowiak Polish Dancers of Boston, based in Dorchester’s Polish American Citizen’s Club, stole the show on Sunday with a lively set of traditional dances. Seth Daniel photo
It was a showcase of the Polish American culture in Boston and something organizers said has grown stronger over the past few years. They hope it can continue to grow as it attracts visitors from across the region.
“What we build here today can be something even bigger, but only if we build it together,” said Dorchester’s Erica Stocks. “Polish Fest is for everyone, whether born in Poland, born here into a Polish American family, married into a Polish family, live in the neighborhood or just came because you really love pierogis. You are all welcome here.”
The Polish Triangle on Boston Street and Dorchester Avenue, adjacent to South Bay and I-93, has been a hub of Polish and Polish-American culture for more than 100 years – with the Polish American Citizens Club anchoring the scene and numerous stores and restaurants adding on. On Sunday, food and beer were popular choices, but Polish music and dancing were also front and center.
DJ’s Polish Market was one of several vendors serving up delicious kielbasa and paczki donuts, along with Café Polonia providing traditional Polish dishes.
District 3 Councillor John FitzGerald noted the many changes that have happened and that are coming to the Triangle, and it’s important to keep Polish Fest alive to preserve the culture of the area.
“We want to help grow this into something bigger,” he said. “We want to make sure the Polish culture remains intact as we develop more in this area.”
Traditional dances were performed by the Krakowiak Polish Dancers of Boston – both the adult and children’s troupes. The dancers practice weekly in Dorchester at the Polish American Citizens Club.
Seth Daniel photos
Keith, Erica, Frankie and Hattie Stocks, of the Polish Triangle.
Traditional dancer Andrea Haber snacked on some pierogis before performing. Seth Daniel photo
Chad Hassey, Jaime Tirrell-Hassey, and little Drinan Hassey.
Scott Schneider dived into a grilled kielbasa on a roll Sunday afternoon during his first time at Polish Fest, while his dog calmly took in the scene.
City and state officials helped to kick off Polish Fest. From left,State Sen. Nick Collins, Councillor Erin Murphy, Organizer Erica Stocks, Councillor Ed Flynn, Councillor John FitzGerald, and state Reps. David Biele and John Moran. They were joined by little Aniela Warot and Julia Popiolek.
Boston Street was teeming with activity and long lines for food despite occasional rain showers.
Teen-age traditional dancers Dominik Jankowski and Helena Win performed to a packed house.
Karina Bolec, left, and Julia Popiolek partnered up for one of the children’s traditional dance numbers during Polish Fest on Sunday.
