Pulaski Days kicks off in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — What started as a weekend festival in 1972 in Grand Rapids has now grown to a week-long celebration of Polish heritage.

The annual Pulaski Days kicks off Sunday with a flag raising ceremony. It starts at 2 p.m. at Diamond Hall. There will be food and music following the ceremony.

“It’s important to kick it off at our flag raising to get everybody going. It really lines up and says here is our Polish heritage,” Michelle Kershner, chairman of Pulaski Days, said. “We bring our dignitaries out, the mayor is there, making sure that everything is kicked off and done accurately and correctly because this is the season for all Polish pride.”

Throughout the week, you can stop by any of the 14 participating halls to celebrate with Polish food, music and tradition. There are some new things this year, including nonalcoholic drinks at the halls and a completly digital informational book about the festival.

The halls will have music and events throughout the week. There is a Keilbasa eating contest at 7 p.m. Wednesday and the Pulaski Days Parade starts at 11 a.m. Saturday. The parade begins at Valley and Fulton ending at Seward and Fulton.

You can find more on Pulaski Days and events going on each day here .

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