Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Just like how everybody is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, on Dyngus Day, everybody is Polish! Grab your pussy willows because Easter and Lent is over and Dyngus Day has arrived and nobody celebrates the day quite like the City of Buffalo and Western New York.
The Broadway Market is once again bringing a full schedule of events to get your in the spirit for this annual Polish holiday.
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"We always have a great Dyngus Day," said Kathy Peterson, Manager of The Broadway Market.
"A lot of our Easter vendors are open on Dyngus Day from 9 to 5, then we are open with a bar from noon to 4, selling Polish beer."
But that's just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to the vendors and food places in the market selling your polish favorites; perogies, sausage, beer, clothing and so much more, there will be live music which features a return of Pittsburgh-based Polish Polka Party band, Mon Valley Push, which will be returning for their second year in a row from 1 p.m. - 4.
And we must not forget the Dyngus Day main event, the Dyngus Day Parade, which saw a strong showing last year as we transitioned out of pandemic times. Peterson expects hundreds of more people in attendance this year to see the parade.
"I do expect more people just as we have seen at Easter. So we're another year removed from COVID, people are much more comfortable coming into a crowd. And I also think the weather looks good for Monday, whereas last year it rained. So I think it'll be much busier with the weather being nicer. And then of course, people becoming more familiar with all the different venues," said Peterson.
The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. at Memorial Drive and then heads west along Broadway to Fillmore Avenue.
Dyngus Day is very much a whole neighborhood-wide festival, many local bars and restaurants are participating with specials. You can find a whole list of events and participating establishments here.
You can also purchase a Pussy Willow Pass which can be bought at your local TOPS Supermarket for $15 and allows you to ride a shuttle to all locations that are offering Dyngus Day events.
Peterson tips her cap to Dyngus Day Buffalo President Eddy Dobosiewicz, who has been putting a lot of these festivities for the day together for years.
"I know Dyngus Day has been celebrated in Buffalo since the 60s. But Eddy has really brought it to a new level with his Pussy Willow Pass. And he has so many venues coordinated, where you can take a bus and go to different locations all the way over to Grant and Amherst."
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The Broadway Market opens per usual on Monday, at 8 a.m. sharp and closes at 6 p.m. Peterson notes that the second and third floor parking garages will be closed during Dyngus Day.