Crowd Enjoys Polish Festival's Pierogi, Polka, Tradition: Photos

RIVERHEAD, NY — Polish pride was shining strong Saturday as the Polish Town Civic Association's 44th Annual Polish Town Fair & Festival kicked off in Riverhead.

The beloved annual festival takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday a mass at St. Isidore's R.C. Church marked the beginning of the festival, followed by a flag ceremony at the showmobile.

The year's Polish Queen, Lily Basia Whitehead, 17, said she was excited to greet the happy crowd. Lily said being Polish Queen is something she's always dreamed of. She said she sought the crown to honor her grandfather, Martin Zaneski, who passed away in 2104. "I did it for him," she said.

Lily said she's shared the excitement of the Polish Queen tradition with her friends, many of whom want to vie for the crown in future years; she said she hopes to serve as a good role model.

To other young girls who might want to be Polish Queen one day, Lily said: "Reach for the stars. If you want something, go get it."

Kerri Whitehead, Lily's mom said she's very proud to see her daughter serve as Polish Queen. "I'm very proud of our heritage," she said. "I still cook the traditional dishes."

Pierogies, she said, are a family favorite.

It's important to have traditions in a changing world, she said; past Polish Town Civic Association President Marianne Trubish agreed.

Traditions run deep, bonds shared by generations of families.

Nicole Lagun, 9, says she goes to Polish school, where she learns Polish and the traditions of her homeland. "It's my country, so I need to represent it," she said.

Magdelena Lagun, Nicole's mom, was born in Poland. "It's important to me that she speaks Polish and represents our culture."

Maureen Bock, treasurer of the Polish Town Civic Association, was working hard, along with her husband, daughter, and granddaughters Saturday to serve up delicious pierogies and kielbasa. To prepare for the festival, 2,000 lbs. of kielbasa were cut, piles of onions chopped, and pierogis readied, she said.

"We work hard, but people enjoy it and that makes you happy," she said.

The festival includes vendors, crafts, mouthwatering food including pierogis and kielbasa, live polka music by Middlesex Express at the showmobile from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday; and, on Saturday night under the pavilion from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Mike Costa & The Beat and Polka Method will keep the crowd dancing.

Admission to that portion of the event costs $13, with children under five years old, free.

Patch photos, video by Lisa Finn.