Dyngus Day in Buffalo returns

The 17th annual Dyngus Day Buffalo Festival will take place April 10 and include a parade that begins at 5:30 p.m. through the heart of the Historic Polonia District in Buffalo. The parade begins at Memorial Drive and heads west along Broadway to Fillmore.

A press release explained, “An ancient Polish observance signifying the end of Lenten restriction and sacrifice the day after Easter, Dyngus Day has become as Buffalo as sponge candy and chicken wings. Since its inception in 2007, the annual springtime festival has attracted international awareness and tens of thousands of visitors to the ‘Queen City of the Lakes’ in order to celebrate the beginning of longer days and a new season after the doldrums of winter, making Buffalo, New York, the undisputed Dyngus Day capital of the world.”

Organizers noted that, for the first time in four years, the Pussy Willow Pass Shuttle system will transport festivalgoers between official venues and the parade. The shuttles are a free service to anyone displaying their Pussy Willow Pass or voucher, which can be purchased at any official venue, or any Tops Market.

In addition to the parade, numerous “official” venues throughout the region, including church halls, The Buffalo Airport Hotel, family-owned restaurants, taverns, social clubs and tented festival grounds, will offer traditional live entertainment, Polish cuisine, Sobieski polish vodka, Tyskie beer and plenty of polka dancing.

The festival will feature some of the biggest names in polka music, including 18-time Grammy Award-winner Jimmy Sturr with special guests Johnny Karas (IPA Hall of Fame) and Chris Caffery of Trans-Siberian Orchestra; plus, dozens of other bands, entertainers and folk-dance troupes from all across North America.

Also this year, the Chopin Singing Society, in partnership with Saint Stanislaus Church, will make its way back home for its first Dyngus Day celebration on the east side in over 30 years – and just a few blocks from where it staged an original Dyngus Day party back in 1961.

For complete details, parade applications and festival updates, follow the festival on social media or visit www.dyngusday.com.

“Remember the whole meaning behind Dyngus Day is one of resurrection, awakening and new beginnings,” festival co-founder Eddy Dobosiewicz said. “We look forward to a celebration that will clearly demonstrate the persevering spirit of Polonia and our entire community with the true meaning of Dyngus. It’s why the people of Western New York know that Dyngus is more than just a day – it’s a state of mind.”