PGSNYS is heading back to Cheektowaga Town Park this month for the 46th Annual Cheektowaga Polish American Arts Festival, and this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the biggest in recent memory. Whether you’re coming to trace your family tree, hear some of the best polka bands in the country, or just eat your weight in pierogi, here’s what you need to know before you go.
Why You Won’t Want to Miss It
Presented by the Polish American Congress, Western New York Division, the festival offers three days of music, food, culture, history, and family fun. Highlights include:
- Nationally recognized polka bands including John Góra & the Górale, Lenny Gomulka & Chicago Push, Polka Country Musicians, DynaBrass, and more
- Colorful performances by the Krakowiacy, Radość Joy Folk Dance Group, and Polish Heritage Dance Group
- Authentic Polish favorites including pierogi, kiełbasa, gołąbki, potato pancakes, bigos, pastries, and more
- Live cooking demonstrations by Karolina Klesta, founder of Polish Foodies, visiting from Poland
- The Rev. Czesław Krysa St. Casimir Cultural Village, featuring traditional folk crafts and hands-on cultural experiences
- Living history presentations by the Banner of Częstochowa Polish Hussars and Polish Living History, Inc.
- Polish pottery and wycinanki demonstrations, artisans, cultural organizations, vendors, and exhibits
- A Traditional Catholic Mass on Saturday afternoon
Whether you come for the music, the food, the history, or the shopping, there’s something for every member of the family.
Visit the PGSNYS Booth: Discover Your Polish Roots!
Stop by and talk face-to-face with PGSNYS members, who can help you:
✔ Find your ancestral village
✔ Understand Polish parish and civil records
✔ Locate immigration and naturalization records
✔ Learn about Polish surname research
✔ Discover PGSNYS databases and educational resources
✔ Learn about membership and upcoming programs
Bring what you know — even just a name, a village, or a family story — and we’ll help you uncover your family history.
We Need You: Volunteers Wanted!
Running the PGSNYS booth for three full days takes a lot of hands, and this year several of our longtime festival volunteers are unable to help due to moves and injuries. If you can spare even a few hours, we’d love to have you.
We need help with:
- Research assistance
- Greeting visitors
- Set-up and take-down each day
No experience is necessary — training is available, and you’re welcome to drop in for whatever hours you can give, even without committing in advance. A heads-up by text or email is appreciated so we can plan around it.
Interested? Contact Dolores Ferguson at fergusondolores731@gmail.com.
Plan Your Visit
- Where: Cheektowaga Town Park, 2600 Harlem Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14225
- When:
- Friday, July 24: 5:00–10:00 PM
- Saturday, July 25: Noon–10:00 PM
- Sunday, July 26: Noon–8:00 PM
- Cost: Free admission, all weekend
- More festival details: For the full entertainment schedule and general festival information, visit the Polish American Congress, Western New York Division at PACWNY.org or find them on Facebook.
We hope to see you at our booth — come celebrate Polish culture with us, and let’s find out where your family’s story began!
Festival information shared courtesy of the Polish American Congress, Western New York Division.