Poland prepares to celebrate its past, presence

By Denise Dick

This marks the event’s second year.

POLAND — A regional movie premiere, a singing contest, Civil War re-enactors and the dedication of a plaque marking a building’s historical significance are just some of the activities planned for this summer’s Celebrate Poland event.

Festivities start June 26 with an evening firefighters parade followed by fireworks.

“We also have a Civil War encampment as something new this year,” said Larry Warren, a committee member of the event. “Some of them will probably be here throughout the whole weekend.”

This marks Celebrate Poland’s second year. Activities will be around village hall.

Members of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry Company D will demonstrate drills, baking and cooking and stay in tents at their campsite.

“They’ll live the way life was in the 1860s,” said Jeff McCreery, another committee member.

Members will portray both Confederate and Union units.

Displays will include medical and warfare items, games for children, a fashion show and letter writing.

A lamplight tour of Riverside Cemetery is planned for June 27.

Two members of the unit portrayed by the re-enactors are buried in the cemetery, and their graves will be featured on the tour, McCreery said.

Poland Presbyterian Church’s Strawberry Festival, an annual event, is also part of this year’s Celebrate Poland festivities.

Organizers are seeking financial sponsorships for the event, and anyone interested may e-mail McCreery at jeffreym@cboss.com.

Also returning this year are the craft show and the Poland Idol contest.

“Last year, we had 25 [vendors] and we’re hoping for more this year,” said Barbara Banks, who along with Mary Alice Fedor, is organizing the craft show.

One of the vendors is Design IT School of Style, Canfield, which will have a contest to design your own funky T-shirt with prizes.

“They work with children to make art with needle craft,” Banks said.

There’s a $30 registration fee to participate in the craft show. Checks should be made payable to Celebrate Poland and mailed to P.O. Box 14585, Poland. Contact Banks at (330) 757-4584 or Fedor at (330) 757-1578 or e-mail celebratepoland@gmail.com for more information.

Poland Idol is the committee’s version of the Fox television singing contest hit.

“Last year, we had 30 to 35 contestants and for the first year, I was very happy with that,” said Cindy Best, who is organizing the singing contest.

Three judges with musical backgrounds will score contestants in areas like diction and pitch.

Singers are divided into categories by age: kindergarten through fourth grade, fifth through eighth grade, high school and adult.

The winner will receive a recording session at Kontinuous Jams studio in Boardman.

The registration fee is $20 and checks should be made payable to Celebrate Poland. Call Best at (330) 651-2999 with questions.

Also June 27, “Garrison Keillor: The Man on the Radio in the Red Shoes,” will have its regional premier screening at Yellow Creek Theater. The film is provided to the theater by WYSU-FM, Youngstown State University’s National Public Radio station.

Food vendors, a sidewalk chalk art contest, concerts and library activities also are planned.

Part of June 27’s agenda also includes dedication of an Ohio Historical Society plaque at the Old Stone Tavern, built in the early 1800s. It is one of the oldest buildings in Mahoning County.

The historical society provided a grant to cover part of the cost of the plaque with Town One Streetscapes raising the remainder.

“We want to have a re-enactment of President [William] McKinley’s swearing in to the Union Army,” Warren said.

McKinley lived in Poland at the time he joined the Army and was sworn in on the tavern’s steps.

denise_dick@vindy.com