Polish festival to please appetites for food and fun

STERLING HEIGHTS — Pierogi fans and people hankering for kielbasa will be most welcome at the 2024 American Polish Festival and Craft Show June 21-23.

As always, the event will take place on the campus of the American Polish Century Club, located at 33204 Maple Lane Drive in Sterling Heights.

According to organizers, the menu promises a mix of Polish and American meals. Kielbasa sandwiches, pierogi dumplings, Polish egg rolls, Polish nachos, Polish sliders, stuffed cabbage and “city chicken” meat skewers are several notable offerings. Attendees of legal age may also wash it all down with Polish or American beer.

Leonard Palermino, the general manager of the American Polish Century Club’s Century Banquet Center, said this year’s event is also delving into other alcoholic beverages.

“We are doing a vodka tasting,” he said. “We are doing that with one of our major sponsors, Zubrowka Vodka.”

Palermino also mentioned the meal he is most looking forward to: city chicken. “It’s something my mother always made,” he said. “Ever since I was a child, she made city chicken.”

In a statement, festival chair Arnie Beller said the event is now drawing second and third generations of families.

“Our members work long hours each year preparing over 5,000 Golabki, over a ton of city chicken, 750 pounds of potato pancakes, and over 20,000 Pierogi for the Polish dinners,” Beller said. “For those that like American foods, we have an American Kitchen, as well.”

In an email, Beller added that the festival’s Polish dishes are award winning and made from scratch.

For music and entertainment, the event will feature folk dancers, and a dance floor will invite people to dance while polka bands play. An estimated 50 vendors will offer their creations for sale at the craft show.

On June 23, the hungriest contenders will chow down on dozens of potato and cheese pierogi while competing in “Srodek’s Pierogi Eating Challenge.” Other Sunday events include a noon polka Mass.

General festival hours are 4-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Adult admission costs $5; minors (ages 17 and younger) may enter for free. Attendees may park for free at Sterling Heights High School or the Career Prep Center and take a shuttle.

Learn more about the event by visiting americanpolishfestival.com.