Dyngus Day is for everyone; no matter the national heritage or culture. On Easter Monday everyone gets to be Polish and enjoy some of the craziest festivities ever witnessed in the small city of South Bend, Indiana. Much like St. Patrick’s Day (where everyone turns Irish), Dyngus Day requires massive intake of (preferably Polish) beer and a rather sickly sweet liqueur known as jezynowka (a blackberry brandy). This brandy should come with a warning label telling the drinker that, depending on how much of said product is consumed; one could seriously regret turning Polish for the day.
In addition to the alcoholic beverages, there is some very delicious food that generally goes along with the day. Obviously, the main food star would be the Polish sausage (pronounced: Saaasaaaage – think Chicago accent). Usually, this wonderful tubular meat is served with a slice of bread and a hard boiled egg (it is the day after Easter after all). If things are going well, then there may be a full Polish spread involved. This feast usually consists of sausage, chicken, noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet/sour cabbage, and perhaps a pierogi or two, or ten. Generally, it is widely accepted (if not flat out encouraged) to hold your sausage sandwich in one hand while holding a beer in the other. All of this food coordination is also compounded by the fact that everyone is dancing as well.
This brings me to my last, and most important, aspect of Dyngus Day; the music and polka dancing. One is not expected to know how to polka during this event, but believe me when I say that if the urge doesn’t strike, then it’s time to check the pulse. Our Dyngus Day celebration plays to the soundtrack of classic and more modern polka music. Those who do know the fine art of polka dancing are an absolute joy to watch and, even with the beer flowing in rivers, the skill and stamina to keep up with these elders is beyond what many of us can handle.
In short, don’t miss out on this little known holiday. The party starts at 7:00 am (yes, you read that correctly), and I highly suggest getting to the site that early. The polka starts around 7:30-8:00am – the sausage is served all day long, and well, the beer and brandy flows when the music starts…yes, that means alcohol for breakfast! Tell me, what’s not to like about Dyngus Day?
Dyngus Day is April 5th this year.
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