Polka music excites Pulaski once again

Pulaski Polka Days once again became the hot spot for polka music July 15-18 as thousands of visitors flocked to the village to celebrate its annual polka festival. Pulaski was forced to cancel Polka Days last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Having the event this year was a great honor,” said Pulaski Polka Days organizer Harold Otto. “It was a gift from God that we were able to get everyone back this year.”

One family specifically mentioned that they were excited to be a part of the Polka Days celebration this year.

“It is great to have Polka Days back,” said Judy Mitchell, who was visiting from Freedom. “It is exciting to see everyone again.”

With the event returning from the pandemic pause, Otto said that he had seen faces that he hadn’t seen in a while.

“I saw a lot of people that I haven’t seen in many years,” said Otto. “It was good seeing everyone again.”

A Suamico family noticed this as well.

“This event brings a lot to the community,” said Angie Maroszek, who was visiting with her family. “It is that one thing that people look forward to every year. You are going to see people that you have not seen in a year. It is just a great annual tradition.”

Otto said that out of the thousands of people who attended the event, many came from all over the United States, as well as areas outside of the United States.

“We had people come from Florida, Texas, Washington, the east coast, Nebraska and Oklahoma,” Otto said. “We also had people from a TV station in Poland who came and interviewed people at the event.”

He believes that visitors come from all over due to the website that Otto is involved in — www.247polkaheaven.com, which broadcasts polka music.

“There were a lot of people that came up to me and said thank you,” said Otto. “I heard positive feedback and that people were telling me that it was a great time.”

Otto said 42 years ago, when the first Polka Days celebration was held, it consisted of a small tent and a band or two. That has evolved into a celebration with multiple tents, over 20 bands and a 1½-hour parade with thousands of people attending.

The 43rd annual Pulaski Polka Days celebration is scheduled for July 21-24, 2022. Otto said that he has plans to keep the celebration upbeat and innovative using feedback from visitors that were there this year.

“I do ask for public comment of what their favorite parts, least favorite parts and what they would change,” said Otto.

He added that the money that the clubs and sponsors make goes right back into the community, whether through a food pantry or other services.

According to visitors of the event, holding Polka Days greatly impacts the Pulaski community.

“Holding this event helps the businesses around the area by bringing more people in,” Mitchell said.

Emily Dumeck, who was visiting with her family from Coleman, said she enjoyed the music and being with her grandparents.

“I always come here to be with my grandparents,” said Dumeck. “They are big into polka music, so we all dance together.”

Otto said he wanted to thank all of the sponsors, bussinesses and the community on making Polka Days what it is today.

“Having this event is a great way to bring generations together to celebrate polka music,” he said.

lreimer@newmedia-wi.com