Buffalo counts down to Dyngus Day

Edyta Ostrowska, a junior international studies major, remembers experiencing Dyngus Day first-hand when she was growing up in Poland.

Traditionally in Poland, boys would throw water and try to drench girls. The girls were able to seek revenge the next day by throwing water on them. Boys would also go door to door with treats to entice the girls to go outside with them.

"Boys would be soaking girls for days before the holiday and about two days after because they were so excited about it," Ostrowska said. "The girls would talk the next day about how many boys came to their door that night."

Thanks to Buffalo's prominent Polish community, Dyngus Day celebrations made the leap from the Old Country to the Queen City.

The holiday is also one of the biggest celebrations in Buffalo. The Dyngus Day parade draws tens of thousands of citizens, including congressmen, senators, the governor, and all of Buffalo's local celebrities. It is celebrated the day after Easter - this year, it falls on March 28.

Dyngus Day is also of the most colorful festivals in Buffalo, drawing thousands of native Poles, Polish-Americans and tourists for live bands, polka dances, Polish buffets, Polish beer and maybe even a little water throwing.

According to Marty Biniasz, who founded the Web site dyngusdaybuffalo.com, this year there are about 15 venues across the Buffalo area for the post-Easter holiday.

Biniasz, the manager for fundraising events and marketing at Western New York Public Broadcasting, said he has several recommendations for the best of Dyngus Day 2005.

For the best traditional Polish meal, Biniasz suggests the Chopin Singing Society, where admission is $8 and from 2:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Buffalo community members will rock out to traditional Polish and polka music. The doors open at 11:30 a.m. for the buffet, which costs $14, following a blessing of the Easter Table at noon.

The best bands - Lenny Gomulka and the Chicago Push, and Frankie Liszka and the Brass Connection - will be playing at the Private Leonard Post VFW at 5 p.m., according to Biniasz. The show costs $10.

But for the most authentic experience on Dyngus Day, Biniasz said the must-see places are St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church on Fillmore Avenue in Buffalo, and the pub at Adam Mickiewicz Library.

St. Stanislaus, Biniasz said, is "the mother church of Polonia," and the festivities start at 3 p.m.

The Adam Mickiewicz Library is a pub with a great feel of authenticity, Biniasz added. It includes the largest selection of Polish beers, liquors and vodkas, starting at 6 p.m.

"When you step into (St. Stanislaus and the Adam Mickiewicz Library), it's like you stepped back into traditional Poland," Biniasz said.

Full lists of the activities going on, including locations, times, costs, band information and contact numbers can be found on dyngusdaybuffalo.com.