Western New Yorkers will be throwing plenty of Dyngus Day celebrations all day Monday. The day marks the end of Lenten season of sacrifice leading to Easter Sunday which Christians follow as the resurrection of the Lord.
It is a Polish tradition to celebrate Dyngus Day, and in Buffalo, it is home to what is considered the largest celebration in the world. The official Dyngus Day webpage has dubbed it 'The Dyngus Day Capital of the World'. Tens of thousands gather for food, fun and dancing to polka music.
While celebrations kickoff early afternoon in the area, the 8th annual Dyngus Day Parade begins at 5 p.m. in front of Corpus Christi Church in Buffalo. The parade heads down Broadway to Fillmore and then to Memorial Drive and Paderewski.
Huge crowds are expected to gather for events at St. Stanislaus Church following the parade in Buffalo’s Historic Polonia District for a big celebration.
One of Buffalo’s oldest traditions is the party by the Chopin Singing Society. This year, the event moves to the Adam’s Mark Hotel on Church Street in downtown Buffalo. The opening ceremony begins at noon Monday. It begins with the Chopin Chorus and White Eagle Dancers, followed by the blessing of the Easter table and buffet. Western New Yorkers celebrate Dyngus Day.
The Friends of the Broadway Market are preparing for the naming of the Iron Pig as the Market's new mascot. The Market also holds the annual Kielbasa Tasting Contest on Monday at noon at the Broadway Market, 999 Broadway.
The popularity of Buffalo’s Dyngus celebration is even outlined in a story in a Wall Street Journal article Monday on the local search for pussy willows. The pussy willows are part of the traditional celebration where the boys/men chase girls/women with the twigs.
For a full listing of Dyngus Day go to the Dyngusday.com
