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Fun at the Little Poland Festival in New Britain, CT

Poland Traditions & Interest

Tim Firkowski

Wednesday, 30 April 2014

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On Sunday, I went to the Little Poland Festival in New Britain, CT. This is only the 3rd in a series of annual events put on by the Polonia Business Association. The Festival covered about 3 blocks along Broad Street which featured about 60 booths filled with great Polish food, souveniers (pamiętki), information and Polish organizations too numerous to mention. There was entertainment during the day which included Polish music, dancing, a Miss Little Poland pageant, Pązki eating contest and much more.

I live in New Hampshire and its a long 3 hour drive down to New Britain, CT and the weather forecast had been questionable for Sunday, but after waking up early that day, I checked the weather and it looked promising so I decided to go for some fun. I was glad I arrived early (about 8:30 AM) as I was able to get a good parking spot!

I brought along my Kujawy (The folk costume from the area where my ancestors are from in Poland... Gniewkowo near Inowrocław) and I wore it during the festival. I helped out at the booth for the Polish American Foundation with Dorena Wasik and Jonathon Shea of the Polish DSC08725a

Genealogical Society of Connecticut and the Northeast. The spot for the booth was next to one of the big attractions at the festival (the beautifully dressed ladies from the UCONN Polish Cultural Society) right in front of PolMart - Sklep Spożywcze i Delikatesy.

We all had a wonderful time chatting with attendees and fieldiing questions from those interested in Polish American traditions and genealogy. When hunger struck, there was no shortage of food and I took the opportunity to get something to eat from various vendors and businesses along the street. Just a few items that were on the menu included - pierogis, gołabki, potato pancakes, kielbasa, zapienkanki & of course BEER!. There was also a huge number of deserts to choose from.

If you are looking for a good time whether or not you are Polish, I would suggest you attend the Festival next year. See you next year.

I have added a few photos below... ENJOY!
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About the author

Tim Firkowski

I have been doing genealogy research since 2002 & have worked full time as a Professional Genealogist since 2008. I specialize in Polish and American-Canadian Genealogy. As a member of APG, I was the 2010/2011 President of the New England Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (NEAPG). I have Certificates of Completion for studies in "Foundations of Forensic Genealogy" and "Advanced Forensic Genealogy Techniques". I have been a volunteer librarian at the local Family History Center, and a genealogy research consultant at “Ask the Expert” Ancestry Road Shows. I have traveled to Poland numerous times & researched in churches and archives. At conferences and special events, you may find me dressed up in my Sherlock Holmes outfit, or my Kujawy (the folk costume from the region in Poland where my ancestors came from).

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Comments 1

Guest - Kathleen Cichowski Haveles on Monday, 12 January 2015 19:04

Hi, Enjoyed reading about New Britain and also the bit on mushrooming. Brought back fond memories of my Dad. Both of my parents were from New Britain, Ct. They are buried in The Sacred Heart cemetery (Holy Cross church) as are most of most of my relatives. Lots of good memories visiting them all, staying with my Grandmother-enjoying her homemade cabbage soup! The last of my relatives there passed away in 2006 and I haven't been back.
On mushrooming- I would go out with my dad picking yellow oaks and brown oaks. Still have his mushroom basket with the knife stuck in it's side! Loving mushrooms and being Polish seem to go hand in hand!

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