The 16th annual Polish Festival takes place from Oct. 7-9 at the Saint Maximillian Kolbe Roman Catholic Polish Mission. Upward of 4,000 visitors are expected to take in three days of Polish music and dance, with food also a main attraction. Uniquely, the festival has a menu exclusively filled with every Polish delicacy imaginable and Polish beer to boot. Opening night festivities, beginning at 6 p.m., are for those 21 and up, but there is plenty to offer for the younger set in the days following, including games and movies. Admission is $3 per day. The main attraction of the Polish Festival is always the performances by the colorfully costumed Polish folk-dance groups, with participants this year coming from around Southern California, including the Yorba Linda-based Polanie Polish Dance Ensemble and the local Polonez Dance Group. Additonally, several musical acts will perform, including Zbigniew Galazka and the Janusz Supernak Band. Pastor of the parish, Father Jerzy Frydrych, considers the event to be the perfect way to showcase the area’s Polish community. He has overseen all the festivals to date. “It’s an occasion for us to show people to our culture,” said Frydrych, “(And) also as Poles, its an occasion for us to get together to get for a taste of our culture, because we are immigrants. We are living here in San Diego far away from our country, Poland — and from Europe. It is very, very important, especially for younger generations,” he said. The 16th annual Polish Festival runs from Friday, Oct. 7 through Sunday, Oct. 9 at the Saint Maximillian Kolbe Roman Catholic Polish Mission, 1735 Grand Ave. Admission is $3. For more information about the festival and events, visit www.polishmission.org/festival.