The Celebrate Poland event kicks off Friday
POLAND
This time next week, residents will be showing some appreciation for their town.
The Celebrate Poland event, a community favorite that attracts thousands of people each year, kicks off Friday, and runs until Saturday night, when it will wrap up with the popular fireworks display.
“We end fantastically with the fireworks – and they’re awesome,” said Cindy Best, vice president of the committee that organizes the event. Event organizers have said the display has attracted as many as 10,000 people in the past.
Other highlights of the weekend include the Strawberry Festival at Poland Presbyterian Church, the singing competition “Poland Idol,” a daylong craft show, the “Chalk The Walks for Poland” sidewalk-chalk art activity, a parade, food vendors, historical tours, karaoke and live music.
One of Best’s favorite events – she admits she’s a little biased, since she runs it – is Poland Idol, which takes place Saturday at noon.
“Poland Idol is a staple, and people look forward to that. You don’t have to be from Poland to participate,” Best said. Participants are grouped into four age categories; the first-place winner in each gets a recording session.
“The judges all somehow have a professional musical background. It’s meant for the kids and adults to have fun, but also to be a true singing competition,” she said.
It’s hard to choose a favorite event with so much going on, however, Best says.
“I would have to say everything about it, because it gives you that nice, hometown feeling. And I think that’s what Poland’s about,” she said. “But you don’t have to be from Poland to come and be a part of it. We’re very welcoming.”
Besides annual favorites, there is at least one new event this year: a pie bake-off, sponsored by Howard Hanna. No registration is required for that event; participants can bring their pie to the Howard Hanna table near village hall from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Best said she hopes people, whether they’re from Poland or not, will come out to enjoy the weekend line-up.
“We have a full weekend,” she said, saying it’s about “family, friends and being a good neighbor.”
The organizers also hope to get some community feedback so they can start planning next year’s Celebrate Poland.
“Next year is going to be our 10-year anniversary, and I can hardly even believe it,” Best said. “We’re really going to be looking for something special next year. We want to make it a nice, big event.”
Weekend events are centered around village hall, 308 S. Main St. A shuttle will run from Poland United Methodist Church to the event from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, and from the high school and church from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Parking is available on streets and in lots in the village business district.
For more information, visit www.celebratepoland.com or the “Celebrate Poland” Facebook page.