Pierogi Fest in Whiting
May 11, 2012 By Blair Thomas
What is a “pierogi”? A “busha”? A “babushka”? Expand your knowledge of all things Polish at the annual Pierogi Fest in Whiting. Drawing nearly 200,000 visitors each year, the festival celebrates the city’s Polish heritage and lets members of the Polish community poke fun at themselves at the same time.
Named after a dumpling that is typically boiled then baked or fried in butter with onions and stuffed with potato filling, sauerkraut, ground meat, cheese or fruit, the festival has some unique traditions.
Women dress up like their grandmothers, known as “bushas,” wearing head scarves called babushkas. Members of the lawn mower brigade strut through town wearing sandals and socks, and people dressed up as life-size Polish pastries are always willing to snap a picture with festival-goers.
Experience the International Polka Parade – including the Precision Lawn Mower Drill team and the Pierogi Queen and her court – a SongFest, a pierogi toss and an eating contest, all packed into an exciting weekend, July 27-29, 2012.
