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Polka Band Festivals

Polka, the Central European style of dance performed exclusively in pairs, is celebrated not only in areas with German, Polish and Austrian populations, but also throughout the United States. Polka band festivals involve traditional polka music, polka dancers and plenty of food and drink. The most elaborate festivals use participants dressed in traditional clothing and can be considered a cultural immersion experience.
  1. Northeast United States

    • Polkafest (visitjohnstownpa.com/polkafest) in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, runs for three days during the first full weekend in June. The event is held on the grounds of St. Mary's Byzantine Catholic Church and features live polka bands on an outdoor stage. Dancers, craft vendors and food stands are also at the free event.

      The Polish Town Fair (polishtownusa.com/ptca/fair.htm) in Riverhead, New York, is a weekend-long event that is a combination street fair and polka band festival. In addition to the street food available at the event, many imported Polish food items are also sold during the festival along with a variety of imported Polish goods.

    Southern United States

    • The Westfest Polka Festival (westfest.com) is held in West, Texas, every year during Labor Day weekend. Costumed dancers, polka music and plenty of German-inspired food are featured at the festival.

      The National Polka Festival (nationalpolkafestival.com) is a large event hosted during Memorial Day weekend in Ennis, Texas. This lavish event combines multiple polka bands, choreographed polka dances by trained dancers and an open dancing areas for guests. Food ranging from bratwurst to strudel is available, along with crafts and imported goods sold by vendors.

    Midwest United States

    • The Midwestern portion of the United States has strong ties to German and Polish culture. Cedar, Michigan, is the location of the annual Cedar Polka Fest (cedarpolkafest.com), held on Fourth of July weekend. This three-day affair includes an assortment of music, food and entertainment.

      In Humboldt, Iowa, the Midwest Polka Fest (midwestpolkafest.com) is a lively celebration for residents and visitors in the area. Hosted over Labor Day weekend at the Humboldt Fairgrounds, this large-scale event features three separate dancing and performance stages.

    Western United States

    • The Big Sky Polka Festival (custer.visitmt.com), held in Billings, Montana, during Labor Day weekend has become an annual event drawing crowds and performers from all across the United States and Canada. Dancers, both professional and amateur, demonstrate various polka dances while polka bands perform throughout the event. Ample food choices are available during the event.

      Carlsbad, California, hosts the annual Oktoberfest (rotaryoktoberfest.org). The festival runs in the fall and is held outdoors. Visitors can sample German food, watch dancers perform and listen to multiple polka bands.

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