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Perfect weather, Sturr draw record crowd to Polish Fest
Beautiful, sunny skies and warm temperatures in the daytime, followed by crisp, comfortable evenings and the star power of polka legend Jimmy Sturr helped attract record crowds to Town Park for the 29th Annual Polish-American Arts Festival.
Festival goers came out in droves each day to sample Polish food from Alice Nowak Catering and Ray's Catering while taking in some of the best polka music and Polish dancing from the area and abroad.
Festival organizers said that a heavy downpour last Thursday had them concerned about the weekend, but their fears were unfounded and they were pleasantly surprised.
"Attendance was beyond expectations," said John Ptak, one of the committee's five members. "We had fantastic weather and all of the bands and dance groups were well received."
Ptak said he did not have an attendance estimate, but added that police told him Saturday's crowd was the largest they had ever seen.
One police officer told a Times reporter on Saturday that his shift was easy because "half the town is here."
Parks Supervisor John Jaroszewski said that vehicles were parked as far as the ball diamonds on the south end of the park, a first for the festival.
Jaroszewski said Saturday's crowd had the largest attendance he'd seen in a single day, surpassing the enormous crowd on hand for an appearance by Hillary Clinton in 2000.
Saturday's headlining act, Jimmy Sturr and his orchestra, drew raucous ovations from the overflow crowd as they played a generous sampling from their catalog of hits that has garnered them 16 Grammy awards.
"When Jimmy was there, you couldn't even get into the park," Ptak said.
The festival also attracted visitors from out of town. An appearance by Pittsburgh's Bud Hundenski & the Corsairs convinced 45 people from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to take a bus to Cheektowaga. They hope to bring two bus loads next year.
Supervisor James J. Jankowiak said that the festival deserves the attention it receives.
"This is one of the few free events with top-name Polish bands," Jankowiak said. "There were people here from all over the east. It's good for the local economy and at the same time a great recreational event."
Jankowiak also praised the festival committee, consisting of coordinator Nancy Vasquez, Ptak, Robert Kaczmarek and Kerry Switalski for their contributions to make the weekend a success.
"The parks department did a great job, as they have in the past," Jankowiak added. "The public came out and everybody seemed very happy."
Jankowiak said that reorganized parking and a stronger police presence were also welcomed.
"We're hoping for an even bigger and better event next year," Jankowiak added.
The beer tent, operated and staffed by the Cheektowaga Patriotic Commission was a popular destination throughout the weekend.
"They had outstanding attendance," said Ptak, adding that the tent ran out of Labatt's Blue on Saturday. "There was a mob there on Sunday."
Cheektowaga police reported no incidents in the park during festival hours.
Another popular destination was the Cheektowaga Times stand, where more than 500 persons entered a free subscription contest to win tickets to Darien Lake and Buffalo Bisons games. A list of winners will be published in the August 2 edition of the Times.
Sunday's General Casimir Pulaski Parade also attracted a large throng. The popular route from Thruway Plaza up Harlem Road to Town Park was lined with thousands of people both adorned in Poland's red and white colors and those who were there simply to enjoy the festivities.
Town Justice Thomas S. Kolbert served as grand marshal. He was joined by his wife Elaine as he marched up the road.
The festival celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2008. Ptak said that planning is already underway, and a few bands have already signed up.
"We've got a couple of surprises," Ptak said. "We're looking at more from a cultural standpoint. We're not strictly a polka festival."
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