Little Poland Festival: Bringing Smiles All Around
Article By Leslie Jacobs
Staff Writer
Video By Lisa Massicotte
Freelance Videographer
Smiles were all around as adults, young children and even a few teenagers tethered to their phones, listened to the beat of Broad Street Blues Band in the main stage at the Little Poland Festival Sunday.
They came for many reasons, from the food served by many local venders to the local business that dot Little Poland. It was a polish festival that catered from traditional polish food such as Pierogis, potato pancakes with applesauce or sour cream and some nontraditional food such as Sausage and peppers were selling too. And, then there were the desserts. Cupcakes, ice cream, ices and Italian pastries all had lines 10 people deep.
According to New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart’s Facebook page, over 20,000 people were in attendance.
Board St, the Mecca of Little Poland was so crowded you had to move onto the sidewalk to get away from the crowds. Businesses and restaurants were still open during the event, but had long lines or waits for service.
Most people were in the streets just standing around eating their food or drinking. The beer garden set up in the parking lot of the local grocery store was filled with people drinking.
For Shirley Pepin, a volunteer with the Boy Scouts (Troup 75) from St. Francis Church in NB, and a native of our fair city said “it’s our first time at the Festival.”
The Scouts decided to have a booth to raise money by selling popcorn, cotton candy, and other items. Pepin said they were “raising money to go to summer camp and for a trip to Gettysburg.”
