Polka music blares over the loudspeakers. Branches from pussywillow trees are lying on the ground. A sign on the door read, "ABSOLUTELY NO SQUIRT GUNS ALLOWED," in bold capital letters.
All of these were telltale signs of Dyngus Day, an annual Polish holiday set the Monday after Easter Sunday. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of Lent and honors Polish heritage and tradition with food, dancing and music.
Annually one of Buffalo's biggest and most colorful celebrations, Dyngus Day 2005 was no exception, thanks to the area's large Polish population.
At the George F. Lamm Post of the American Legion on Wehrle Drive in Williamsville, people of all ages were present to show their Polish spirit.
The branches and squirt guns are part of a unique flirtatious ritual between men and women. If a man or woman wants to show interest in someone of the opposite sex, they will get their attention with a pussywillow or squirt them with some water.
Since Christians are expected to fast in some manner during the 40 days of Lent, Dyngus Day is a way of making up for lost time, said Bob Kradczyk, the host of the local radio show "The Polka Menu."
Kradczyk said Dyngus Day has become a day full of fun and partying.
"Some people take two days off," he said. "They need a second day to recuperate."
Always held the Monday following Easter Sunday, Dyngus Day has survived the transition to modern times from the old country. Buffalo has become the Dyngus Capital of America, local Polish-Americans say; it hosts more festivals and music than any other American city.
"We just sort of Americanized it," Brian Urbanczyk said, a sophomore electrical engineering major.
Urbancyzk is a member of a polka band, "The Knewz," that performed live during the event at the George F. Lamm Post. Urbancyzk said he has played music that is more modern in the past, but it was simply not as fulfilling as polka.
"I played in jazz bands, rock bands, but I was simply going through the motions," Urbancyzk said. "Polka is feeling. Your music comes from the heart."
Dancing goes hand in hand with music when it comes to polka, and many couples twirled around the dance floor. The steps are simple to learn but require emotion to execute, said Chris Sikorski, a sophomore accounting major.
Sikorski said he attends many festivals like the ones on Dyngus Day when he has free time, and believes they are important for having a good time while carrying on a tradition.
"You've got to have a feel for the music," Sikorski said. "If you can count to three, you can polka."
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
