HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Pulaski Days — the week-long celebration of Polish/Lithuanian culture held every fall in Grand Rapids since 1973 — has been canceled this year.
COVID-19 and concerns the virus would spread among attendees and volunteers is the reason for canceling (the first time in the event’s 47-year history), and it was a tough decision, said Pulaski Days Committee chairperson Michelle Kershner.
Festival volunteers coordinate the efforts of 14 Polish/Lithuanian halls and fraternal organizations that fund and put on the celebration.
Now, the group is working to make up revenue, with a “Save The Halls” campaign for Pulaski Days 2021.
Organizers said the besides all the fun of flag raising ceremony, parade, golf outing, coronation of the Pulaski Days queen, dancing to the top-notch polka bands and sampling the authentic Polish food served at the halls and the kielbasa-eating contests, the Polka Mass, Pulaski Days is the single largest source of revenue for the various halls.
The festival draws visitors from Wisconsin, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and other states.
Pulaski Days officials are asking people to support the “Save the Halls” campaign by buying pins and Polish shields at area businesses, including Sobie Meats, 3450 Remembrance Rd NW and Lewandoski Meats, 1107 Walker Ave NW; by visiting the Grand Rapids branch of Credit Union ONE,1609 Walker Ave. NW; or going online to the Pulaski Days Committee website, www.pulaskidays.org, which has a PayPal link for the “Save The Halls” campaign.
Money collected via “Save The Halls” will be split equally among all of the halls, Kershner said.
