ORCHARD LAKE, Mich. – The official kick-off to summer begins with the 46th annual St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair during Memorial Day Weekend in Orchard Lake, Mich. Hosted and sponsored by the St. Mary’s Preparatory Moms and Dads Club, the fair takes place
Friday, May 26 through Monday, May 29, and benefits the students at the more than 130-year-old high school.
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 fun and sun, and offers an array of activities for children and adults alike.
Attendees will enjoy entertainment from some of the top local bands, such as new headlining acts Your Generation in Concert and Killer Flamingos, as well as returning favorites MEGA 80’s and Mr. Moody. The event also will feature a Vegas-style gambling tent, a kids area and carnival rides for the family, dancing and a large selection of authentic Polish cuisine.
“The fair is an annual tradition for students, families and faculty of St. Mary’s Prep, and the thousands of residents in the community that come out to show support and have a great time,” said Cormac Lynn, headmaster of St. Mary’ s and host of the annual event. “This fair is the school’s largest fundraiser and helps provide financial aid, support student initiatives and improve our 120-acre, picturesque campus, including 26 historic buildings.”
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 7 p.m. Monday. The Vegas tent will run from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday; 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and 3 p.m. to 7 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.
“The St. Mary’s Prep Moms and Dads Club work year-round on this annual fundraiser, and is such an important part of supporting the students and their education,” said Kevin Foe, chairman of the St. Mary’ s Polish Country Fair. “It is an honor and pleasure to host this fair, which bring s together students, families and the surrounding community and beyond to celebrate the start of summer and Polish traditions for a meaningful cause.”
For the first time, the Milk Mustache Tour will make a stop at the St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair, courtesy of the Michigan Dairy Farm Families. Inside the 35-feet by 8-feet trailer, fairgoers have the opportunity to engage in fun, interactive and educational activities about nutrition and how to lead an active and Dairy Good Life. Activities include video games, dairy trivia, dairy sampling of Guernsey ice cream and Coca-Cola floats, an appearance by Miss Mo o and more.
NEW SPORTS TENT
New to the festival this year will be a high-energy sports tent featuring an array of activities for sports fans of all ages, as well as large flat screen televisions airing the big games of the day. La Casa Cigars, a premier cigar retailer and entertainment complex, will be on hand the evening of Sunday, May 28, offering 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, such as Whiskey River BBQ sliders and Whiskey Trail Mac & Cheese topped with Whiskey River BBQ beef courtesy
of Keego Harbor’s The Lodge Grill & Bar.
Fans can have a photo taken with PAWS, the official mascot of the Detroit Tigers on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Mike Stone, also known as “Stoney” from the “Jamie and Stoney Show” on 97.1 The Ticket, will be at the fair from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Stoney is the longest-running prominent sports radio voice in Detroit. Mike Sullivan, a producer of the “Mike Valente show,” will be on hand Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. Fans can also enter to win tickets to Lions, Tigers, Red Wings and Pistons games that will be raffled off throughout the fair weekend.
TICKETS
For the first time, admission tickets to the St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair can be purchased online at a discounted price through 11:59 p.m. Thursday, May 25. Individual tickets bought online are $5 per person and $10 for families of up to six people. General admission tickets purchased at the festival are $6 per person and $12 for families (up to six). 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.
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 25. 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, Dragonmead Microbrewery Erik the Red, Irish style amber ale, Griffin Claw Brewing Company’s Norm’s Raggedy Ass IPA, Right Brain Brewery’s CEO Stout, Saugatuck Brewing Company’s Oval Beach Blonde Ale 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 26:
5:00–6:30 p.m. Toppermost (Beatles Tribute)
7:15–8:45 p.m. Cooper Anstett (Pop)
9:30–11:00 p.m. Your Generation in Concert (Pop/Rock Hits)
Saturday, May 27:
12:00–2:15 p.m. Duane Malinowski Orchestra (Polka)
2:45–4:30 p.m. Polish Muslims (Polka rock)
5:00–7:00 p.m. Persuasion (Top 40)
8:00–11:00 p.m MEGA 80’s (80s hits)
Sunday, May 28:
12:00–1:00 p.m. Big Daddy (Polka)
1:30–3:30 p.m. Smokin Mirrors (Rock)
4:00–5:30 p.m. HIPS of Detroit (Top 40, Motown)
6:15–8:00 p.m. Annabelle Road (Country)
8:45–11:00 p.m. Killer Flamingos (Rock)
Monday, May 29:
12:00–1:30 p.m. Buggs Beddow & the Good STuFF (R&B/soul/rock & soul/blues)
2:00–3:45 p.m. Dig A Phony (Top 40)
4:15–6:00 p.m. Mr. M oody (Top 40)
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 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 3 p.m. to 7 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
Spin, soar and reach new heights on 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 a NEW roller coaster at the St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair that promises to pack a lot of punch into high-speed thrills–the Bullet Train. The Bullet Train will climb 33-feet high then send riders on sharp turns, banking curves, super-fast transitions and exhilarating drops, all of which are the fine trademarks of a great freeform roller coaster.
Fairgoers can also enjoy the Freak Out, a giant pendulum that swings riders up to 127 degrees while revolving at a speed up to 15 rpms; and classic rides such as the spinning Himalaya, merry-go-rounds for fun with small kids and antique cars for kids to “drive.”
The Kids Zone will feature crafts and fun activities for youngsters. Kids can enjoy the creative fun 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 ridiculous Rusty Bathwater, 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.
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
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.
EVENT SPONSORS
The return of the St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair is made possible with the generous support of many sponsors, including Kroger, La Fontaine Automotive Group, Fred Lavery Company, The Lodge, Powers Distributing, Debrincat, Padgett, Kobliska & Zick, and Marx Layne & Company.
MEDIA SPONSORS
A special thanks to media sponsors, which include: FOX 2 (WJBK TV), WWJ (950AM), Neighborhood SEEN magazine, OaklandCountyMoms.com and FreeIsMyLife.com.
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 26 through Monday, May 29 and will be open 5 – 11 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; and 11 a.m. – 7 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.