Houston’s 5th Annual Polish Festival is a celebration of all things Polish – the food, the music, the language, the customs and the culture of the Polish people. The Festival will be held on the grounds of Our Lady of Czestochowa Church conveniently located at 1731 Blalock Drive, in the Spring Branch area of Houston, about 1.5 miles north of the Katy Freeway. The festival will run from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm on Saturday, April 30, 2011 and from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday, May 1, 2011
Featured at the Festival is a large sampling of traditional Polish foods such as pierogi (stuffed dumplings), golabki (cabbage rolls), bigos (hunters stew) and kielbasa (sausage) and a huge assortment of traditional cakes, rolls and desserts lovingly prepared by the parishioners of Our Lady Of Czestochowa Catholic Church. There will be plenty of ice cold beverages to go along with the food.
This years festival provides a really good entertainment package for a low admission price of only $3.00 along with free parking. The entertainment lineup this year includes traditional songs and music by Zawadiaki and modern Polish music by Halny. Texas dance band fiddler Brian Marshall and his Tex-Slavic Playboys will bring their special brand of Polish dance music to the stage on Saturday from 3pm – 4:30pm, 5pm – 6pm and 7pm – 8pm. Brian will be joined this year by the all-star cast of Bradley Jay Williams, Tim Walsh, Mark Rubin and Chuck Bolin. DJ Chris Piorkowski will close Saturday night out with modern dance music from 8:00pm to 10:00pm. On Sunday from 2:30pm – 3pm and 4pm – 6pm, Chris Rybak the Texas Accordion Cowboy and his lovely wife Edita will play polka and waltz dance music.
As part of the festival, visitors will be able to tour the beautiful church constructed in the traditional Polish style and will be able to see the Icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, the Polish Black Madonna, and learn of Our Lady’s 600 year old history as protector and defender of the Polish nation.
In addition, the festival provides a supervised, safe and fun children’s area complete with games, face painting, kids’ snacks and other fun activities to keep the kids entertained. Inside the beautifully decorated parish hall, visitors will find a silent auction full of unique items on which to bid. The entire parish community of Our Lady of Czestochowa extends an invitation for everyone to come and celebrate all things Polish with them or as they would say – Zapraszamy! (We welcome you!).
Entertainment Program For The
Fifth Annual Polish Festival 2011
Saturday, April 30th (printable version)
| 10:00-10:30 | Opening Ceremony with presentation of the American, Polish and Texas Flags and the singing of the American and Polish National anthems |
| 11:00-11:15 | The Bernard Band – European "Gypsy" music |
| 11:15-12:00 | Polonia Houston – Parish ensemble performing traditional Polish folk songs |
| 12:00-1:00 | Dance performance by the children from the Polish School and the Parish Youth Dance Troupe |
| 1:00-1:45 | The Halny Band – Popular modern Polish music |
| 1:45-2:30 | Edward Winiarski and guests – traditional Polish songs and music |
| 2:30-3:00 | Aneta Barcik in Concert – Classic Polish songs from the 20th century |
| 3:00-4:30 | The Brian Marshall Band – Traditional Polish music performed by 5th generation Polish Texans |
| 4:30-5:00 | Dance performance by our Parish Youth Dance Troupe |
| 5:00-6:00 | The Brian Marshall Band – Traditional Polish music performed by 5th generation Polish Texans |
| 6:00-7:00 | Holy Mass in the church; a selection of sentimental Polish songs performed by Ryszard Sienko and Jessica Krozel on the bandstand |
| 7:00-8:00 | The Brian Marshall Band – Traditional Polish music performed by 5th generation Polish Texans |
| 8:00-10:00 | DJ Piorkowski – dance the night away at the Polish disco |
Sunday, May 1st
| 10:00-11:00 | Beatification of John Paul II celebration Mass in our church |
| 11:00-11:30 | Polish Constitution Day – 3rd of May Parade |
| 11:30-12:00 | Dance performance by the Parish Youth Dance Troupe |
| 12:00-12:30 | Dance performance by the children from the Polish School |
| 12:30-1:15 | Polonia Houston – Parish ensemble performing traditional Polish folk songs |
| 1:15-2:00 | Edward Winiarski and guests – traditional Polish songs and music |
| 2:00-2:30 | Aneta Barcik in Concert – Classic Polish songs from the 20th century |
| 2:30-3:00 | Chris Rybak – The Texas Accordion Cowboy |
| 3:00-4:00 | Divine Mercy Mass in the church; the bandstand will be silent for this Mass |
| 4:00-6:00 | Chris Rybak – The Texas Accordion Cowboy |
| 6:00 | Closing Ceremony followed by DJ Piorkowski |
Polish Texans article and photos of last year festival.
James Smock has always held an interest in his Polish ancestors and heritage. He is a native Houstonian with Polish roots in Bremond, Marlin and New Waverly, Texas.