It’s time for the 36th Dozynki Harvest Festival
By Robin Vinci | Editor at August 25, 2023 | 2:00 pm | Print
Every year in Poland when the harvest is complete, residents celebrate and thank God for a good bounty. On Saturday and Sunday people will come together at Falcon’s Field on Farmington Ave. to celebrate the harvest at the Dozynki Polish Festival.
The 26th harvest festival in the City features Polish food, entertainment and vendors. But, its biggest draw is the opening mass ceremony with 500 to 700 people in attendance.
Monsignor Daniel Plocharczyk of Sacred Heart will be the main celebrant of the opening mass ceremony on Saturday at 11 a.m.
“The mass is important to the Polish community because part of it is to give thanks and the Polish adopted the Christian religion over a thousand years ago,” said Lucian Pawlak, event organizer. “Even though the custom was a Pagan right, it quickly grew in popularity and became a true celebration to give thanks to God.”
This year, The Polish American Foundation will be honored. It is best known for the immigrant and heritage hall of fame. The group also is involved with festivals. The Polish American Foundation sponsors bands and groups as well. They are located in Wesoly Sloper House.
“We’ve celebrated a lot of organizations, but this one is the youngest,” said Pawlak. “It is 20 years old, but it is a very active organization. They are the base for a lot of groups.”
On Saturday afternoon, from 3:30- 5 p.m., there will be a Talent Show. Anyone who wants to participate is invited to step up to the microphone and do their thing.
This year there is an overflow of vendors. Only so many could fit at Falcon’s Field as it is not flat and too roomy.
“There are a limited number of premium spots. It’s not like Broad Street where you can line everybody up and they get passersby. The field is a beautiful setting, but for vendors, it is hard,” said Pawlak. “We have an overflow of food vendors. We are in great shape food wise.”
Restaurants range from Belvidere to Baltic to Europlate to new places across the State.
There will also be Polish beer, but the event is teaming up with the Connecticut United Soccer Team to present Connecticut United Lager, the beer of the soccer team. It will be in cans for the first time for the Dozynki Festival. The lager is similar to a Polish beer.
There will be a Farmer’s Market this year for those to show off their harvest.
“We already heard from some backyard growers who want to exhibit their bounties,” said Pawlak. “We are encouraging that this year. People take pride in their gardens and we want to give them a venue where they can show it off.”
There will also be some local honey for sale.
The event was started over 30 years ago. Originally, it was a 3-day street festival on Broad St. from Friday through Sunday. It drew people from all over New England and New York.
One year there were 50,000 to 60,000 people. The decision was made 17 years ago to move it to a more appropriate setting because it was a celebration done in the fields.
Hours are Saturday, Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday Aug. 23 from noon to 10 p.m.
“The weather looks to be good so we expect a good crowd,” Pawlak added.
