| April 28, 2011 Michael Mroziak |
It literally rained on their parade in Buffalo. But for those participating in the 2011 Dyngus Day parade, as well as for those lined up along Broadway and Fillmore to watch it, the steady downpour did nothing to dampen the spirit of the day. On the contrary, many enjoyed the irony that they’d be dousing fellow partygoers with water guns anyway.
“Usually it’s the women who use the squirt guns, but we’re getting a full blown squirt gun from Mother Nature today,” said Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz as he prepared to take part in the Dyngus Day Parade. “But I’ve got my pussy willows out to retaliate.”
Taking it all with good humor is what makes many Dyngus Day parties memorable. Andy Golebiowski, a Dyngus Day diehard himself, recalls another occasion when partygoers made the most of an unexpected setback. It was during the late 1990s when a power outage left the Adam Mickiewicz Library in the dark, just as the party was in its prime.
“We pulled out some candles at the bar. People were being served by candlelight,” said Golebiowski. “But at the same time we had dancers who were going to perform in the big hall…”
With no electricity to power the lights and cassette player needed by the dance troupe, the symbolic light bulbs then lit up in some of the guests’ heads.
“Some people said let’s go in the parking lot,” said Golebiowski. “A couple of guys got their vans, they said ‘give me that cassette’, they popped the cassette in their car stereo and opened the side door of their van, and some other cars circled around and put their headlight on the dancers. The party moved out into the parking lot.”
Perhaps the heavy rain will make this year’s Dyngus Day just as memorable. In spite of the weather beer and vodka flowed, the polka bands played and the shuttles moved patrons from one venue to another. The day began, though, on a spiritual note inside at least two local venues. Corpus Christi Church held an Easter Monday Mass to start the day. At the Hearthstone Manor in Depew, where the Chopin Singing Society hosted its 50th Dyngus Day celebration this year, Father Czeslaw Krysa of St. Casimir parish blessed a traditional Easter table as the Chopin Singing Society performed Easter songs in both English and Polish.
“This is an extension for us of the joy of Easter,” said Father Krysa. “We actually break the Easter fast with the first Holy Communion of Easter, and that communion continues in the family with the blessed food and the same thing as here.”
Father Krysa noted the spiritual symbolism of water in Dyngus Day frolicking.
“More so than the switching of pussy willows, the sprinkling of water or Holy water is very much a part of Dyngus Day to remind us that we’re all baptized in Jesus,” he said. “So we all joyfully celebrate that.”
As the day progressed, families enjoyed music and dancing followed later by young adults and professionals who finished their workdays and headed out to enjoy the fun.
The biggest party of all was held inside Buffalo’s Central Terminal, where thousands passed through to enjoy drinks and polka music. Nearby bars and taverns hosted music as well, while Corpus Christi Church’s social center offered a family friendly alternative for patrons with young children.
“This year we had the bowling alleys open for the kids,” said Golebiowski, a member at Corpus Christi. “The kids were squealing with delight, getting a chance to bowl.”
For some, the growth of Dyngus Day in Buffalo is welcomed but with concern for maintaining traditions, including religious significance and family-oriented activities.
Golebiowski said, “I think the challenge right now is because Dyngus Day has gotten so popular, how do we keep the quality and not just aim at quantity?”
Where Dyngus Day organizers have succeeded, in terms of quality, is making Buffalo’s annual Easter Monday bash the biggest in America and a proven regional tourist destination. As he prepared for the Dyngus Day Parade, Mark Poloncarz credited the efforts of Dyngus Day Buffalo (led by Martin Biniasz and Eddy Dobosiewicz) for giving Buffalo a money making success story.
“I was at events today where I met a couple from Virginia, I met couples from Toledo, Ohio, and from outside of Detroit,” said Poloncarz. “This has become not just a local tradition but is becoming a national tradition, which is great.
“As people are coming into town, they’re staying in our hotel rooms, spending money in our restaurants, so it helps the whole community.”
Buffalo Common Council President David Franczyk, a fellow parade participant, also stood in the rain and noted the symbolic connection with Baptism. He also suggested the post-Lenten Dyngus Day is a more logically correct celebration than the pre-Lenten Mardi Gras.
“You fast, and then you have fun,” said Franczyk. “You don’t have fun and then fast around Lent. It doesn’t make any sense.”
Looking forward to having some fun after Lenten fasting, Franczyk also recalled when Dyngus Day flirting and revelry went a little too far in the eyes of Catholic Church leadership.
“In 1420 a Polish bishop outlawed Dyngus Day for a while because it was getting out of control,” Franczyk said, before offering a humorous assurance for modern patrons.
“I can assure you the Buffalo Common Council will never outlaw Dyngus Day.”