Polish Festival Coming To Riverhead Soon

RIVERHEAD, NY — Although the annual Polish Town Fair was canceled again this season, the fun will continue, anyway — at a Polish Festival presented at the Riverhead Polish Hall.

Presented by the Riverhead Polish Independent Club, the festival takes place on Saturday, August 19, from 11 a.m. until midnight, at the Riverhead Polish Hall, located at 214 Marcy Avenue, or "Ziggy's Way."

The event will include an indoor and outdoor festival, the John Stevens Polka Band from noon to 5 p.m., Polish, handcrafted, and artisan vendors — and traditional Polish food, with $20 Polish platters and kielbasa sandwiches for $10. It's free to browse the vendor portion of the festival on Pulaski Street during the daytime; an on-site outdoor event area costs $5. The daytime portion of the event concludes at 5 p.m.

Lisa Dabrowski, one of the organizers of the festival, said the Polish School is doing several special presentations. "We will be crowning a RPIC King and Queen," she said. "There will be vendors along Pulaski Street. And 'Baba Jaga' will be making an appearance for a third year in a row."

The nighttime event begins at 6 p.m. and runs through midnight inside the Polish Hall, with the DJ Arthur Retro Band from 6 p.m. to midnight, lite fare available, and a cash bar, both night and day. Night admission costs $20 for adults and teens, $10 for those 12 and under, and kids 5 and under free.