Houston’s 6th Annual Polish Festival will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2012 from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm and on Sunday, May 6, 2012 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. The festival is a celebration of all things Polish – the food, the music, the language, the customs and the culture of the Polish people and will be held on the grounds of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church conveniently located at 1731 Blalock Drive, in the Spring Branch area of Houston, about 1.5 miles north of the Katy Freeway.
Featured at the Festival is a large sampling of traditional Polish foods such as pierogi (stuffed dumplings), golabki (cabbage rolls), bigos (hunters stew) and kielbasa (sausage) and a huge assortment of traditional cakes, rolls and desserts lovingly prepared by the parishioners of Our Lady Of Czestochowa Catholic Church. There will be plenty of ice cold beverages including Tyskie Polish beer to go along with the food.
This years festival provides a really good entertainment package for a low admission price of only $3.00 along with free parking. The entertainment lineup this year includes modern Polish music by Halny, Edward Winiarski and guests, Wawel, the Polish School children and Polonia Folk Singers. Texas dance band fiddler Brian Marshall and his Tex-Slavic Playboys will bring their special brand of Polish dance music to the stage on Saturday from 1pm – 3pm and 4pm – 6pm. Brian will be joined this year by an all-star cast of Mark Halata on accordian, Ronnie Kasowski on guitar, Chuck Bolin on drums, Harlan Kubos on bass and Brian’s sons Jakub on clarinet and Michal on fiddle.
As part of the festival, visitors will be able to tour the beautiful church constructed in the traditional Polish style and will be able to see the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, the Polish Black Madonna, and learn of Our Lady’s 600 year old history as protector and defender of the Polish nation.
In addition, the festival provides a supervised, safe and fun children’s area complete with games, face painting, kids’ snacks and other fun activities to keep the kids entertained. Inside the beautifully decorated parish hall, visitors will find a silent auction full of unique items on which to bid. The entire parish community of Our Lady of Czestochowa extends an invitation for everyone to come and celebrate all things Polish with them or as they would say – Zapraszamy! (We welcome you!).
Polish Texans article and photos of last year festival.
James Smock has always held an interest in his Polish ancestors and heritage. He is a native Houstonian with Polish roots in Bremond, Marlin and New Waverly, Texas.