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Friday, 27 May, 2011 1:51 PM

Summer Starts Here: Polish Country Fair is a 'Stay-Cation'

40th Annual Memorial Weekend Fair Starts Michigan Holiday Season

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ORCHARD LAKE, Mich. – Highlighting the annual start to the Michigan Summer season, The Orchard Lake St. Mary Polish County Fair kicks off summertime in Michigan Memorial Day weekend May 27 through May 30, 2011. With great food, family entertainment and fun for all ages, the OLSM Polish County Fair (http://www.stmaryspolishcountryfair.com), marks the traditional start of the summer season for families young and old in Michigan.

“This is the 40th consecutive year that we that we proudly kick off the start to the summer season in Michigan with the largest remaining Country Fairs in Michigan,” says Jim Glowacki, headmaster of St. Mary’s Prep and host to the annual gathering. “Coupling this traditional kick off with a bit of “Stay-cation Get-Away” for those who don’t want to make the long and expensive trip to Northern Michigan. We have found that friends and family simply want a break
from road rage, long drives and expensive gas to drive up north. The backyard get-together at the Fair provides a little something for everybody, from live bands for dancing and Las Vegas style gambling for card players, to over 45 rides and games with great authentic Polish food for the whole family.”

Held on the picturesque campus of Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, the Polish Country Fair opens Friday, May 27 at 5 p.m. and runs through Monday, May 31. Fair hours are: Friday 5-11 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Monday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. The Las Vegas tent has special hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday 5 p.m. – 1:00 a.m., and Monday, 3-8 p.m. Entrance to the Fair is free. The popular all-day ride passes are $23, if purchased at the Fair, or $20, if purchased in advance at local Meijer stores between now and May 27. Convenient on-campus parking is $10.00 per vehicle.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: Fifty Amp Fuse, a well-known local cover band will be Saturday evening’s live entertainment for dancing, beginning at 7:30 p.m. “We’ve expanded the dance floor this year because this is such a popular part of our Fair,” says Glowacki. The entertainment line-up also includes: The Howling Diablos, Killer Flamingos, Boogie Dynomite and the Twistin Tarantulas. If you like to Polka, don’t miss the Polish Muslims (Saturday, 2:00 – 5:00pm p.m.) and Big Daddy Lackowski & His La-a-Dee-Das (Sunday at noon). A complete listing of the entertainment schedule can be found at www.StMaryspolishcountryfair.com). There is also a Fair hotline for information. 248-706-6775.

HUGE CARNIVAL MIDWAY GREAT FOOD: More than 45 rides and games for all ages, from family favorites for the young set to thrill rides that teenagers (and brave adults) love. Back by popular demand this year is the Crazy Mouse, an 80-foot, spinning roller coaster. Mid America Shows is St. Mary’s ride partner. Authentic polish food, served up hot by Polish Harvest, is another major attraction. Last year, Michiganders consumed 27,084 pierogis, over one thousand pounds of kielbasa polish sausage and over 3,000 golubki (cabbage rolls). American carnival favorites are also on the menu, including hamburgers, chili dogs, elephant ears, snow cones and fresh baked goods.

LAS VEGAS STYLE GAMBLING and BINGO: Even if you’ve never set foot in a casino, there is a game under the giant Las Vegas tent you’ll enjoy. The Polish Country Fair is a great place to try blackjack, craps, roulette, Texas Hold ‘Em or poker in a friendly environment. Poker tournaments, which fill up fast, will be held on Saturday and Sunday. There is also a separate tent for Bingo aficionados.

VENDORS: Unique shopping is also part of the Fair tradition. This year over 25 vendors will offer handmade jewelry, handbags, women’s fashions, western wear, scented candles, polish gifts and handmade crystal and pottery. Custom-designed jewelry can be made on-site and temporary airbrush tattoos will add to the fun.

STUDENTS AND PARENTS MAKE IT POSSIBLE: St. Mary’s Prep underclassmen, parents and even many alums return each year to volunteer over 8,000 hours of work to put on this great Michigan tradition. Trained volunteers do everything from serving food and cold beer to directing traffic and dealing blackjack. “It’s a great family event that is also a wonderful learning experience for our young men,” says Fair Co-Chair Diane Posa, whose son is a ninth grader at St. Mary’s Prep.

ABOUT ORCHARD LAKE ST. MARY’S: Proceeds from the Polish Country Fair help support St. Mary’s Prep, a Catholic, boy’s high school with 485 students. “In addition to a great education and championship teams, St. Mary’s has a diverse student body with students from all over Michigan, the United States and as far away as Korea, China and Mexico. We’ve been developing great young men for over 100 years and this Fair helps makes it all possible,” says Host and Headmaster Glowacki, who is also a St. Mary’s Prep graduate. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s is located at 3535 Indian Trail in Orchard Lake at the intersection of Commerce and Orchard Lake Roads.

FAIR SPONSORS: Official fair sponsors include: Powers Distributors (Molson & Coors), Meijer, DMC (Detroit Medical Center/ Huron Valley Sinai Hospital), Community EMS, Hudsonville Ice Cream, Cedar Crest Dairy and Meijer.

Source: St. Mary's Orchard Lake Schools Campus

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Big Daddy Lackowski & His La-Dee-Da's will perform at the St. Mary's Polish Country Fair on Sunday at Noon.