Dyngus Alive & Well in Buffalo - Toledo Polonia not so much
You would think that with more than 10% of the Toledo area's population being Polish-American and that we rank 3rd on the ethnicity "hit parade", we'd have a much better showing as far as festivals and events are concerned.
Buffalo Polonia does a great job organizing huge events several times a year. But, Dyngus Day really stands out as a unique Polish-American event that encompasses the entire Buffalo region.
See: DyngusDayBuffalo.com
Listen to the National Public Radio Dyngus Day Report: Click Here
See: Newspaper article with schedule & Dyngus Day Ads
The entire city embraces the Easter Monday theme (which lasts all week)and businesses profit from it. Here, in pretty much boring Toledo, we could take a lesson from the folks in Buffalo. During the week of Smigus-Dyngus even non-ethnic and Irish bars hire polka bands and serve pierogi and other Polish foods. There are dances and other events all over the Buffalo region. Maybe next time will do a better job trying to elect a Toledo Mayor like Keith Wilkowski. A few years ago I shuffled off to Buffalo just to experience how the whole community pulls together to celebrate Polishness regardless of one's individual ethnic background.
Already preparations are being made for this year's events in Buffalo:
Dyngus Day Buffalo, a grassroots initiative to promote Buffalo-Niagara's Dyngus Day activities, will hold an organizational meeting for all interested parties on Thursday, February 1st at 6:30pm at St. Stanislaus Church on Fillmore Avenue.
This year's Dyngus Day will take place on April 9, 2007 with activities in the Buffalo region continuing through April 15th. To be discussed at the session will be local & national media opportunities, cooperative marketing programs and the organization of Buffalo's first ever Dyngus Day Parade.
Also on the agenda will be remarks by David Lacki, Director of Tourism for the Greater Buffalo Convention & Visitors Bureau. Lacki will discuss the growing cultural and ethnic tourism industry and how, if property marketed, can have a positive economic effect on the entire region.
The Dyngus Day Buffalo meeting is open to the public including all promoters, event organizers, and other interested parties who would like to assist in growing one of North America's most unique ethnic traditions.
Labels: Dyngus, Polish, Polish-American, Polonia, Toledo
posted by Denny @ 7:13 PM
5 Comments:
Buffalo welcomes Toledo in assisting to growing Dyngus Day into a nationally recognized celebration.
DyngusDayBuffalo.com
DyngusDay@aol.com
We have a swell Dozynki each year thanks to the Toledo-Poznan Alliance. I hold a Zapusty Party and Sobotka each year and I hope that those can be expanded to larger celebrations. Dyngus Day would be an excellent addition to a Year 'round schedule of Polish events.
Wish we had a little more notice on Buffalo's Dyngus organization meeting so that we could have sent representatives this year. Cleveland Polonia ought to get involved.
Denny,
You sound like you're on the right track by involving the TPA.
As for the rest, I'll dust off the old Polish-English Dictionary and try to figure our what you said/meant ;-)
(Shoulda learned Polish when my Mom and her Mom were still alive...)
I think the demise of dyngus day stems from the fact that we, the polish community, are the victims of our success. We got a good education, realized what was out there and moved out. I remember dyngus day was still alive and well in the early 80's; I was @10-12 yrs old and there would be "gangs" of girls looking for the boys and then vice-versa, what fun. A few yrs ago the blade did a piece on dyngus day and had people reminisce about the stunts they pulled. One older gentleman told about how he was about 65 and crawled on the roof with a hose and waited for his wife.
I just read in the city paper that a that a south end bar was daving a dingus party. Polka band too.
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