The 12th annual Polish Festival brings the very best of San Diego’s Polish community to Pacific Beach for a weekend of traditional Polish food, dancing and art Saturday, Oct. 13, from noon to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 14, from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Maximilian Kolbe Roman Catholic Polish Mission, 1735 Grand Ave.
The annual celebration attracts thousands of people to Pacific Beach in celebration of Polish heritage, said Anna Russell, Polish Festival coordinating committee chair.
“We wanted to bring something new and exciting to show that Polish people were a big part of early American history,” she said.
Russell said part of the festival celebrates the contribution of Polish immigration to the United States.
In honor of Polish tradition, the Kolbe Mission has invited several traditional folk dance groups and bands. Activities for children also include inflatable bouncers and painting booths, she said.
Vendor booths will also have on display Polish souvenirs, clothing hand-painted pottery and hand-crafted amber jewelry made from hardened tree sap that can be as much as 60 million years old, Russell said.
However, one of the main attractions of Polish Festival is the vast array of Polish dishes including stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes and Polish sausage. Those who have a hard time finding traditional Polish food in San Diego will get a chance to sample classic Polish dishes.
“There aren’t many Polish restaurants in San Diego, so we tried to have that here,” Russell said, adding, “if you really want to know the taste of Polish food, you have to come this festival.”
And don’t forget the beer.
The festival features beer from the Okocim brewery in Poland, one of central Europe’s most famous breweries known for its high-quality suds, Russell said.
In addition to food, music and good beer, the Polish Festival offers more than $6,000 in prizes including, cash and gift certificates to restaurants and shops in Pacific Beach, she said.
For more information visit www.polishmission.org.