The Little Poland Festival Draws Thousands to New Britain

Dubbed "A City's Polish Heart" by the Boston Globe, New Britain Connecticut's "Little Poland" has quickly become a destination spot.  With award winning restaurants, European day spas, bakeries, delis and a host of services, the bustling neighborhood has seen a renaissance over the past few years.  Today, Little Poland boasts over 100 businesses with many owned by Polish immigrants pursuing the American dream.  For many, the area reminds one of the Main Streets of old with shoppers walking from store to store in search of homemade bread, fresh meats, or that unique gift you simply can't find anywhere else. Spend a day in Little Poland and you might forget you are even in the US.  You can go out to eat, order stamps, get a bank loan, take a driving lesson, get a haircut or even solicit legal advice from an attorney completely in Polish. 

With so much to celebrate, the Polonia Business Association decided to create a festival to bring focus to Little Poland's success.  This past Sunday, despite chilly temperatures, thousands flocked to the Little Poland festival  to munch on kielbasas, paczki and other Polish delights.   With heavy promotion on social media, the event even attracted visitors from as far as New Hampshire and Florida.

Organized by the Polonia Business Association, the annual event featured leaping folk dancers, delectable food, live music, carnival rides and costumed characters to entertain the crowd.  With admission fees advertised as "only a smile", the pocketbook friendly event even included many free giveaways from local businesses.  The law firm of Podorowsky Thompson & Baron distributed over 500 complimentary "I Love Little Poland, New Britain" tote bags.  Promoting the great things the city of New Britain has to offer, the festival featured several downtown district businesses including Amatos Toy & Hobby, Tri City Trading, and the Beauregard Cafe which recently hosted President Obama during his visit to the city. 

With Sacred Heart Church serving as a backdrop, the festival opened with New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart serving as Grand Marshal.  Dignitaries included United States Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty, WTNH News Anchor Ann Nyberg, Cartoonist J Timothy Quirk, Senator Terry Gerrantana, Representative Peter Tercyak and a host of local politicians including the majority of the city's common council and former city mayors Lucian Pawlak and Tim Stewart.   Pawlak also served as the Little Poland Festival's
event coordinator in conjunction with the Polonia Business Association.  Congresswoman Esty, Ann Nyberg and J. Timothy Quirk were appointed "Little Poland Ambassadors."  For their efforts in helping the local community, the trio was also officially designated "A Little Polish."  

This year's festival was decidedly kid friendly.  The Pulaski Club provided carnival rides complete with a rock climbing wall, carousel, ferris wheel, games, swings, train, and a huge super slide for kids to zip down.   Costumed mascots walked through the crowd posing for free photos as they greeted young and old alike.  Little Poland's mascot Stanley the Dragon was joined by new additions Pierogi the Penguin, Stuart the Minion and Mike Wazowski, the one eyed monster from Monster's Inc. 

Walking through crowd,  you might encounter a tuba player, an Elvis impersonator, a clown, or even the "Ziggy Zoggy" guy from Eastside Restaurant fame.  Visitors particularly enjoyed the set up at the Zelniak Green Grocer.  The store's owner served soup out of a makeshift "tank" while wearing an army helmet and uniform.

Polish folk dancers wore traditional costumes from various regions of Poland as they leapt across the stage set up with views of Sacred Heart Church in the background.  Entertainment also included a variety of bands, a Little Miss Little Poland pageant, fencers, a martial arts exhibition and a paczki eating contest where the winner was presented with a crown.   The event also marked the sainthood of Pope John Paul II.  The occasion was marked with a special procession from Sacred Heart Church.  As then Archibishop of Krakow, Pope John Paul II gave mass in New Britain in 1969. 

If you missed the festival, not to worry.   The Polonia Business Association plans to do it again next year.