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Polish Days party returns
The event is looking for a man who has pierogi-like qualities
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
AUSTINTOWN
Consider the pierogi.
The hearty mainstay of Polish cuisine is a comforting dough pillow, usually stuffed with potato, and a simple but sturdy mouthful of sustenance.
But those aren’t its only attributes. The pierogi embodies tradition and ethnic pride, unites families, is versatile and is always an exemplar of good taste.
As a food source, you might say it’s a model citizen.
To honor the pierogi, Polish Youngstown is looking for a man who shares those noble characteristics. Because after all, you are what you eat.
The winner of the first — and slightly tongue-in-cheek — Mr. PieroGuy competition will be crowned Saturday at the Polish Days festival.
The annual festival, sponsored by Polish Youngstown, will take over the Saxon Club, 710 S. Meridian Road, and its grounds next weekend.
Any man who thinks they have what it takes to be Mr. PieroGuy must sign up for the contest in advance. Go to polishyoungstown.com for rules and registration. It will take a brief essay on why you are qualified.
The semi-finalists will have their description and photo posted to the Polish Youngstown website and Facebook page for public review and voting.
The top 5 contestants — those with the most Facebook page likes — will square off in the finals at the Zabawa Pierogi Fest on Saturday, where they will fight for the title in the Formal Wear, Talent and Pierogi Bod competitions.
The winner will receive a prize package that includes a tuxedo, pierogi for a year and a number of other gifts donated by area businesses, including golf lessons.
Saturday’s Zabawa — that’s a Polish word that roughly translates as “party with dancing” — will also feature two bands (Jimmy Kilian of Chicago and Chardon Polka Band), a poker tournament (5 p.m.), and a pierogi-eating contest (8 p.m.).
The Mr. PieroGuy competitions will be interspersed throughout the night, with the winner crowned at 10 p.m.
There also will be a homemade pierogi buffet with 15 varieties, with all the traditional fillings, plus potato and bacon, taco, pizza and reuben flavored. Dessert pierogis, filled with fruit and cinnamon, also will be on the buffet.
Admission to Saturday night’s Zabawa is $12 ($10 with YSU ID card), which includes a good start on the pierogi buffet. Your choice of three pierogis, plus bottomless halushki, salad and pickles are free with the admission fee, said event organizer Aundrea Heschmeyer. After that, pierogis can be purchased a la carte, so that patrons can choose exactly what they want and how much they spend, with little going to waste.
While Saturday will be a party, Polish Days weekend will take a more traditional turn the next day. Admission will be $5.
Polish dancers will perform, and there will be a mass, cultural workshops, a talk by Youngstown Bishop George Murry on his recent trip to Poland, and a re- enactor of a 17th Century Hussar soldier, who will be in uniform and talk about that era of Polish history.
Artwork by Julian Stanczak will be available for auction.