The Riverhead Polish Hall will continue its tradition of celebrating Polish culture with its one-day Polish Festival on Aug. 19.
This year, the event is expanding beyond the Polish Hall property and onto Pulaski Street between Osborn and Marcy avenues, according to Polish Independent Club Ladies Auxiliary President Lisa Dabrowski, one of the event’s organizers. The event starts at 11 a.m. and moves into Polish Hall in the evening.
“We at the Riverhead Polish Hall have been having a Polish festival the past few years. But in light of the [Polish Town] Civic Association definitely not having [the Polish Fair] this year, we decided to expand it, because so many people had contacted us saying that they missed having it — they missed the street fair part,” Dabrowski said. “And the town is behind us expanding it. So we’re hoping to bring it back to its heyday, as it once was, and have it in the center of Polish Town like it used to be.”
The Riverhead Polish Independent Club decided to start the polish festival event in 2021 to fill the void left by the cancellation of the Polish Town Civic Association’s annual Polish Town fair, which this year was canceled for the fourth year in a row.
“It definitely is very important to keep that Polish heritage alive for us of Polish descent, but also I think that a lot of people, not necessarily even of Polish heritage, enjoy coming to the festival and fairs,” Dabrowski said, “And, of course, a lot of people love the food — that’s always been a draw.”
Traditional Polish food like Kielbasa sandwiches will be served, and the Polish club is focused on attracting artisans of Polish heritage selling traditional Polish wares, including amber jewelry. Polish Town USA will be filled with Polka music played by the John Stevens Polka Band.
“We’re looking to show with pride what Poland has offered to the world,” Dabrowski said.
The Polish Festival event also plans to bring back several traditions from the Polish Fair including the traditional Polish wedding re-enactment on the steps of St. Isidore’s church and the crowning of a Polish Town queen — as well as a Polish Town king.
Nominations for the king and queen are being accepted through the end of the month by Assembly Member Jodi Giglio. To nominate, residents can send the nomination form sent by Giglio to their households back to her or send her an email at giglioj2@nyassembly.gov with details about their nominees. Nominees must be between the ages of 18 and 23, be a Riverhead resident, and either be born in Poland or of Polish heritage, Giglio said.
At 6 p.m. the festival moves indoors with a DJ’d party in Polish Hall. Admission for the evening event costs $20 for adults and teens and $10 for kids 12 and younger. Children 5 years and under will be admitted free.
“The people have spoken; they want to see it happen,” Dabrowski said. “And we at the Polish Hall are doing our best to maintain that and carry on our Polish heritage.”
Editor’s Note: This article was amended after initial publication to add details about the Polish Town king and queen nominating process.
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