(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Pierogi Fest gets underway Friday in Whiting, Ind., and this year, there’s a new Mr. Pierogi to lead the offbeat celebration of Polish food and eastern European culture.
Tony Panek was chosen by the Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce to serve as Mr. Pierogi. He will replace Matt Valuckis, who entertained in that role for years. Panek said he knows he has some big shoes to fill.
“Big, doughy shoes, that’s for sure,” Panek said. “Matt Valuckis, who did the character for 25 years, did an amazing job [and] set the bar really high.”
He’s preparing, of course, by “eating a lot of pierogi.”
As is tradition, Panek will sing with the Pieroguettes, work the grounds with Ms. Paczki and Halupki Guy and, in general, goof off with the ladies known as the Buscias — with their housecoats and rollers.
“These are folks who are not afraid to poke fun at themselves,” Panek said. “There’s a lot of bad puns being thrown around.”
Pierogi Fest dates back to 1993. In its inaugural year, organizers said the fest spanned about 50 feet in length and featured a handful of vendors. They estimated that roughly 1,200 pierogi were served during that first fest. Nowadays, organizers said the amount of pierogi served probably numbers “in the millions.”
Panek urged people to attend the fest.
“If you’ve never been to Pierogi Fest, it's like a fest on steroids … it’s just a wild, zany, good time all around,” he said.
When Tony is not Mr. Pierogi, he’s a local radio personality.
The festival will run from July 28 – 30, with the Polka Parade taking place Friday night at 7 p.m.
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