The weekend consists of a slew of activities including an arts & crafts fair, community garage sales ("rummage sales" around here), the Polka Trot 5K running race, a dance contest, fireworks, parade, food and drink (i.e., beer and pierogies), and non-stop live music and polka dancing. What a sight to behold. Each day the festival runs from about noon UNTIL 1 AM!! Unbelievable.
Admission to the festivities is free on Sunday, so we took a ride down in the afternoon following a long weekend of moving to take a break and check it out. We had an ice cream cone, listened to the live music (2 tents going at once), and watched all the polka dancers. Many of the bands came from all over the country to play, including from Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. Some of the songs were even sung in Polish. I can't say I have ever learned the polka (we missed the free lessons), but it seemed pretty flexible.
Polka makes me think of John Candy's character in the movie Home Alone- he is a member of the Wisconsin polka band that drives Kevin's mom home to Chicago in a rental truck after they leave him home alone. About 25 years later, it now seems like an accurate portrayal!
One of the interesting things about Wisconsin is the heavy European cultural influence, particularly from Germany, Poland, and Nordic countries. These people love their polka!
Polka Confetti from Chicago on stage
(don't let the matching couple distract you!)
Polka dancers tearing up the dance floor
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