New Britain’s eighth annual Little Poland Festival is expected to bring big crowds to Broad Street this Sunday to enjoy a vibrant celebration of Polish culture, music and cuisine.
The annual festival draws huge crowds to celebrate in the heart of the Broad Street neighborhood known as New Britain’s Little Poland. Organizers expect 20,000 visitors to the 2019 event on Sunday June 2nd.
The 2019 Festival will be held from 11:00am to 7:00pm on June 2, 2019. The popular street festival will occupy four blocks of Broad Street, from Washington Street to Gold Street.
Festival organizers say that, “From its humble beginnings 8 years ago, the Little Poland Festival has grown into one of the largest cultural events in the state and one of the largest Polish American festivals in the country.”
Adrian Baron, president of the Polonia Business Association, said that, “Each year we see people coming to the festival from further and further away. Last year we had folks drive up from South Carolina, Michigan and Pennsylvania and this year we have vendors and sponsors coming from as far away as Chicago.” Baron is a local attorney with the firm of Podorowsky Thompson & Baron.
Festival Chair Darek Barcikowski says that, “Each year the festival shatters records in terms of attendance, the number of vendors and sponsors and we expect this year to be no different.”
Barcikowski, who is also the publisher of the White Eagle newspaper, added, “There is a lot of excitement about this year’s festival, close to 15,000 people said they’re coming on Facebook. I hope our food vendors come prepared.”
Festival organizers say that guests will be treated to, “over 100 vendors including a dozen serving authentic Polish cuisine, which is one of the festival’s biggest draws, and two beer gardens pouring Polish and Eastern European beers.”
Entertainment will include folk dancers, polka and rock bands, a talent show and a paczki eating contest. Organizers say that a full scheduled of the entertainment is available on the Festival website.
Opening ceremonies for the Festival will be held at 1:00pm at the main stage.
The Festival’s main stage will be the Haller Post, which is at the corner of Broad and Grove streets.
A carnival is being held at the Pulaski Club on Grove Street. It started on Friday night, and continues to the end of the Festival.
“Bravo’s Game of Crowns cast member and fitness cover model Lori-Ann Marchese and boxer Adam “babyface” Kownacki, ranked as the 9th best heavyweight in the world, will also appear at the festival,” say Festival organizers.
There is no fee to attend the Festival.
Complimentary shuttles will be available from the Badolato parking garage in downtown New Britain. The festival is within walking distance of the CTFastrak station and the Badolato garage.
