Parade & Party Coming to Parma's Polish Village

SAVE THE DATE! The Polish Constitution Day Parade, will be held this year on Sunday, May 5th, at 2:00 PM, is the first annual parade of the year in Parma. It’s a harbinger of Spring! The parade is held in partnership with the Polish American Congress, the City of Parma, and the non-profit Polish Village Parma. It’s brought to you by donations, and in part by a small grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, (the cigarette tax) and lots of volunteer hours. The parade and party are open to the public. Residents and visitors alike line the side walk and tree lawns on Ridge Rd from the Parma Circle to Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union to watch the parade of Polish dignitaries, politicians, high school bands, and an assortment of various units marching, including residents from the neighborhood and surrounding communities. Businesses, non-profits, clubs and groups are encouraged to march in the parade, at no cost. If you are interested in marching email pacohparade@gmail.com, or contact Ward 2 Councilwoman Debbie Lime.

The weekend kicks off with a fundraiser at Ridge Road Tavern, 5587 Ridge Rd., Friday, May 3, 2024, from 6 to 8 pm. Food, 2 drinks, live music, games & more for $25 a person. The proceeds raised will help cover the expenses occurred for Sunday’s extravaganza.

The party is held in the parking lot of Unity Catholic Federal Credit Union, at Ridge & Alber Ave. Food, (both Polish & American favorites), beverages, (including Polish beer), and marketplace vendors (selling various wares). Noon to 6:00 PM. Entertainment programming includes a live Polka Band, Polish folk dancers performing in traditional colorful dress, and more. This event offers the general public a free, safe, family oriented event, and familiarizes people with the sounds and tastes of the Polish cultural community. All are welcome!

This parade has been held for 74 years, with exception during the pandemic, to celebrate the Polish Constitution. The event celebrates Poland’s May 3, 1791 adoption of the first constitution of its type in Europe, which is a milestone in Poland’s legal history, and the history of democracy. It parallels our own U. S. Constitution in approach and design. With Poland bordering Ukraine this celebration of European democracy is more important now than ever. It moved from Cleveland to Parma in 2011. The parade was the catalyst for the formation of Polish Village, a business district on Ridge Rd. in Parma’s Ward 2, and soon after the 501(c)3 non-profit Polish Village Parma.

Mark your calendars, save the date, join the party and hope to see there.

Follow Polish Village in Parma Ohio on Facebook for updates and details.

Kathryn Mabin

Board Secretary of Parma Area Fine Arts Council, Inc, or PAFAC, and Artist/Jewlery Designer, Owner Aire of Oppulence.

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Volume 16, Issue 4, Posted 10:15 AM, 04.01.2024