Cedar Polka Fest crowns first-ever princes and princesses
Photo of Junior Royalty Court at Cherry Royale Parade by Lisa Rossi-Brett
From staff reports
This year’s Cedar Polka Fest boasts something new — a Junior Royalty court. Two first graders from each Leelanau County public school, as well as Lake Leelanau St. Mary, are represented as princes and princesses to promote this year’s festival, which is scheduled for August 24-27. They’ll ride in the Polka Fest parade on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 12:30 pm.
The inaugural court includes: Briar Krantz and Henry Morris from Glen Lake; Astrid Bielaczyc and Alex Zywicki from Leland; Savannah Potes and Lillian Vermeylen from Northport; Henry Bardenhagen and Brianna Goff from St. Mary, and Madison Bellinger and Benji Brenner from Suttons Bay. Prior to this year’s Polka Fest, the princes and princesses rode in the Cherry Royale Parade on July 8 in Traverse City, enjoyed a pizza party at Bear Paw Pizza in Glen Arbor, and attended Polish Heritage Night on Aug. 11 at the Traverse City Pit Spitters’ game, where Christina Moutstatson sang both the Polish national anthem and the Star Spangled Banner while dressed in a traditional Polish folk outfit.
Cedar’s 41st annual Polka Fest kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 24, with First Responder Night, during which police, firefighters, EMS and 911 dispatchers are offered free admission and a free drink. The flag raising and playing of the U.S. national anthem commence at 5 pm. Bands this year include Mollie B. and Ted Lange with Squeezebox, Alex Meixner, the Scottville Clown Band, and Bavarski-Polkas NYC.
Saturday’s events include a Lions Club Pancake Breakfast from 8-11 am, a Run 4 the Kielbasa from 8:30 am-noon, a Classic Car and Motorcycle Show from 9 am-noon, Kids Day from noon-4 pm, and the parade from 12:30-1:30 pm. All veterans and active-duty military get free admission on Saturday evening, 5-10 pm. Sunday’s activities include: a polka mass under the big tent from 10-11 am, a craft fair and farmers market from 10 am-3 pm, and a cornhole tournament from noon-4 pm.
Polka Fest features six food vendors under the big tent this year — four serving traditional Polish food and two serving comfort food. The festival typically attracts approximately 10,000 people during the weekend.
