ORCHARD LAKE, Mich. – Ready, set, summer! Warmer weather fun – rain or shine – in southeast Michigan kicks off with the 47th Annual St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair Memorial Day Weekend in beautiful Orchard Lake. Hosted and sponsored by the St. Mary’s Preparatory Moms and Dads Club, the annual fair runs Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28, and benefits the students at the more than 130-year-old high school. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s is located at 3535 Commerce Road in Orchard Lake.
The St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair is the nation’s largest high school fair, attracting more than 100,000 visitors each year.
It is the kick-start to summer and offers activities for both children and adults with top notch food and entertainment. Attendees will enjoy some of the best local musical entertainers, including headliners such as, MEGA 80’s, whose outrageous concert celebrates music from the decade and attract all ages. Also performing are the Killer Flamingos, Your Generation in Concert and Toppermost, along with traditional Polka acts to bring out the Polish in everyone!
“Thanks to the St. Mary’s Moms and Dads Club and all our parent and student volunteers, this festival is a loved tradition for many, and importantly, is the largest fundraiser for the school that supports the students and the community,” said Cormac Lynn, headmaster of St. Mary’s Preparatory. “Through the fair, we are able to provide scholarships, support student initiatives and improve our 120-acre campus. This year, we are improving existing classrooms and finalizing drawings for a new academic center on campus to foster creative and critical thinking among our students. Also, we are proud to be taking the necessary steps of preserving and upkeeping the 26 historic buildings on our campus.”
This year the fair will be open: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday – Sunday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. The Vegas tent will run from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday; 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. After 6 p.m., attendees must be 18 or older, with a valid ID, or be accompanied by a parent to enter the fair.
“This fair truly is a labor of love for the organizers,” said Steve Kuphal, chairman of the fair. “It is an honor and pleasure to host it – we know we are upholding a celebrated tradition that unites students, families and the local community all for a great cause – and of course it’s an excuse to enjoy some Pierogi and elephant ears while strolling the beautiful grounds.”
Along with Kielbasa, Sauerkraut and fun Polish traditions, the fair features a Vegas-style gambling tent, a kid’s area, a sports tent, carnival rides for the family, dancing, and the large selection of authentic Polish cuisine.
SPORTS TENT
A high-energy sports tent will feature an array of activities for sports fans of all ages, as well as large flat screen televisions airing the big games of the day. Enjoy premium cigars in the evening on Saturday, May 26, pending weather restrictions, and will offer adult fair-goers the opportunity to enjoy a fine cigar while relaxing in a cozy, lounge-like atmosphere. Game day favorite foods and treats also will be available, courtesy of Keego Harbor’s The Lodge Grill & Bar.
Fans can have a photo taken with Roary, the official mascot of the Detroit Lions, on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Mike Sullivan, producer of the “Mike Valente show,” on 97.1 The Ticket, will be at the fair on Sunday from 1 to 2 p.m. to meet and greet fans.
Fans also can enter to win tickets to see Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons games all weekend long. Winners will be drawn and announced on Monday afternoon.
TICKETS
Admission tickets to the St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair are available at the gate entrance. Individual tickets are $5 per person and $15 for families of up to six people. Children up to the age of three are free.
Both cash and credit cards will be accepted for general admission at the gate. The fair will include free parking on the grounds of St. Mary’s Prep.Those wishing to enter the fair after 6 p.m. each evening must be 18 years of age or older and show valid ID, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Ride tickets are available in advance for the more than 45 carnival rides in the Midway and can be purchased here.
All-day ride passes can be purchased at the midway ticket booth during the fair for $30 or $25 if purchased online in advance through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, May 24. Online tickets, which include a $2.50 fee per transaction, will be valid from open to 10:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday and all day Monday. Please note: the price of all-day ride passes does not include fair admission.
To purchase discounted general admission fair tickets and ride pass vouchers, visit www.stmaryspolishcountryfair.com.
Backpacks will not be allowed into the fair and proper attire is required.
FOOD OFFERINGS
Polish food takes center stage at St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair. An expansive menu, with prices ranging from $2 to $12, boasts authentic Polish favorites such as kielbasa, pierogi, kapusta (sauerkraut) and golabki (stuffed cabbage). Pierogi varieties include farmer’s cheese, sauerkraut, potato, mushroom and potato/cheddar.
For guests who want to sample many of the Polish favorites, the Polish combo includes: Polish sausage served on a bun, kapusta, the choice of three pierogi, golabki and a dill pickle.
A large selection of traditional All-American fair food, such as hamburgers, fresh baked goods and ice-cold adult beverages, will be available in the St. Mary’s Grill throughout the weekend.
Separately, a Beer Garden will offer adult attendees a selection of Michigan-brewed beers including: Cheboygan Brewing Company’s Blood Orange Honey; Norm’s Raggedy Ass IPA by Griffin Claw Brewery; Atwater Brewery’s Vanilla Java Porter; Saugatuck Brewing Company’s Oval Beach Blonde; Right Brain Brewery’s Northern Hawk Owl and more.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCE LINEUP
From Top 40 to country and jazz to polka rock, the St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair continues to offer a wide variety of music from many genres to appeal to all different tastes. This year’s musical entertainment schedule, subject to change, is as follows:
Friday, May 25:
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5:00 – 6:30 p.m. |
Mr. Moody (Top 40) |
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7:15 – 8:45 p.m. |
Space Cat (Hits, Party Band) |
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9:30 – 11:00 p.m. |
Killer Flamingos (Rock) |
Saturday, May 26:
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12:00 – 2:15 p.m. |
Duane Malinowski Orchestra (Polka) |
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2:45 – 4:30 p.m. |
Polish Muslims (Polka rock) |
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5:00 – 7:00 p.m. |
Persuasion (Top 40) |
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8:00 – 11:00 p.m. |
MEGA 80’s (80s hits) |
Sunday, May 27
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12:00 – 1:00 p.m. |
Big Daddy (Polka) |
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1:30 – 3:30 p.m. |
Smokin Mirrors (Rock) |
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4:00 – 5:30 p.m. |
HIPS of Detroit (Top 40, Motown) |
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6:15 – 8:00 p.m. |
Good Gravy (Dance Rock Cover Band) |
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8:45 – 11:00 p.m. |
Your Generation in Concert (American and British Rock Hits) |
Monday, May 28:
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12:00 – 1:30 p.m. |
Buggs Beddow & the Good STuFF (R&B/soul/rock & soul/blues) |
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2:00 – 3:45 p.m. |
Dig A Phony (Top 40) |
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4:15 – 6:00 p.m. |
Toppermost (Top 40) (Beatles Tribute) |
LAS VEGAS STYLE GAMBLING AND BINGO TENTS
The Vegas tent will return for visitors 18 years and older with several casino games: traditional Black Jack, Craps, Roulette and Big Wheel. It will be open from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday,
3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday. DJ Double Trouble will keep those on the new Vegas tent dance floor hopping all day. He’ll really crank it up for the Vegas after party from 11 p.m. to close on Saturday and Sunday.
Admission to the tent is $5 per person with proper identification. A cash bar with adult beverages will be available for individuals 21 years and older, who will be required to wear a wristband. Parent volunteers and professionals will serve as dealers for all tables. Those who wish to gamble can pay cash in exchange for playing chips. The cash-out limit is $500.
Fair visitors also can try their luck at a fast-paced game of Bingo in a separate tent and win cash prizes. Bingo cards are $2 each.
CARNIVAL RIDES, GAMES AND KIDS AREA
Experience the thrill of nearly 50 rides at this year’s fair provided by North American Midway Entertainment, the world’s leader in the traveling outdoor amusement industry. Thrill seekers will find plenty of fun, including: The Zipper, a classic brought back to its full glory for the rides 50th anniversary with new open gondolas that will allow riders to experience vertical G-forces in the open; an 80-foot roller coaster; the spinning Himalaya; a classic merry-go-round; and the new Monster Truck that caters to the younger festival goers, and provides car crushing excitement for every rider behind the wheel.
The Kids Zone will feature crafts and fun activities for youngsters. Polish dance classes will be held for the first time this year where kids can participate in the traditional dance moves on Saturday and Sunday with a professional Polish dancer. Kids also can enjoy the creative fun – including patriotic crafts and traditional Polish themed art projects – from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. Create mosaics and wax hands courtesy of the Creative Arts Studio of Royal Oak. Kids also can enjoy the illusion of magic with performances by magicians and face painting and balloon twisting by award winning clowns Derby and Lovely. Magic shows featuring the mystical John Winslow, a former Ringling Brothers clown, will take place Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., and Monday at 12:15 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information on Kids Zone activities visit: StMarysPolishCountryFair.com
Operation Care Package Michigan is back again this year to make certain no deployed hero goes without mail from home. Inside the Kids Zone, visitors will have the opportunity to make cards and write letters to thank our troops. There also will be other fun arts and crafts activities in honor of military.
UNIQUE SHOPPING VENDORS
A fair tradition, nearly 50 retail vendors will be selling unique and locally crafted items such as handmade Polish pottery, T-shirts, tattoos, jewelry and handbags.
ABOUT ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S POLISH COUNTRY FAIR
The St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair, the traditional start to Michigan summer, serves as host to more than 100,000 fun seekers each Memorial Day weekend. The four-day fair will be held Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28 and will be open 5 – 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s is located at 3535 Commerce Road in Orchard Lake at the intersection of Commerce and Orchard Lake roads. All weekend entertainment schedules and any additional public information can be found at StMarysPolishCountryFair.com, on Twitter @St_Marys_Fair and on Facebook at Facebook.com/StMarysPolishCountryFair. For further questions, call the information hotline at 248-706-6775.