News Summary
Grand Rapids is hosting the 53rd annual Pulaski Days, a week-long celebration of Polish culture that includes food, music, and activities. Highlights include a kielbasa-eating contest, a grand parade, and traditional Polish cuisine, fostering community pride. Despite a local hall’s absence this year for cost-saving reasons, the event continues to exemplify the strong Polish-American identity and heritage in the area.
Grand Rapids is celebrating the 53rd annual Pulaski Days, a cherished event that showcases Polish culture through food, music, and communal festivities. Originally launched in 1972 as a weekend festival to support local Polish halls, Pulaski Days has grown into a week-long celebration that involves 13 Polish clubs and fraternal organizations.
This year, the festival features a variety of activities designed to engage the community and highlight Polish traditions. One of the highlights includes the annual kielbasa-eating contest hosted at Sixth Street Hall, where teams of three compete to eat four hot dogs, often using tactics like dipping the hot dogs in water to help swallow quickly. The contest attracts hundreds of participants and spectators, many donning red shirts that represent their respective halls, creating a spirited atmosphere of community pride.
This year’s Pulaski Queen, Lauren Hansen, emphasized the importance of the event as a celebration of Polish heritage. Similarly, Maureen Lynch, a member of the Pulaski Court, expressed her support and love for the community fostered through Pulaski Days.
Throughout the week, a plethora of activities continue to engage attendees, including stein hoisting challenges, a grand parade scheduled for Saturday, and a polka mass on Sunday. These events are intended to promote community togetherness while indulging in traditional Polish cuisine, such as homemade kielbasa, gołąbki (stuffed cabbage), and pierogis (dumplings).
However, not all local organizations are participating in the festivities as Jackson Street Hall, also known as the Polish National Aid Society, has announced it will not officially partake in Pulaski Days in 2025. Although the hall will remain open during the celebration, it will not collaborate with the event’s organizing committee. The decision, aimed at implementing cost-saving measures primarily for building upkeep, was made by Jackson Street Hall’s members. The Pulaski Days Board acknowledged this decision and recognized the importance of the organization, even without their participation.
This year’s Pulaski Days exemplifies the strong Polish-American identity in Grand Rapids through a mix of fun activities, heartfelt gatherings, and a focus on celebrating heritage. The festivities are a testament to years of cultural significance, making a vital impact on the local community.
For those seeking more information about activities, schedules, and participants, the Pulaski Days website offers detailed insights and updates.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Grand Rapids to Celebrate Polish-American Culture at Pulaski Days
Grand Rapids Hosts Its First Dyngus Day Festival
Additional Resources
- Fox17: Pulaski Days Celebrating 53 Years in Grand Rapids
- Wikipedia: Casimir Pulaski
- WoodTV: Pulaski Days Kicks Off in Grand Rapids
- Google Search: Pulaski Days
- WZZM13: Pulaski Days Kielbasa Eating Contest
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Polish Americans
- WoodTV: Remembering Casimir Pulaski
- Google News: Polish Culture Events Grand Rapids
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
