Thomas and Mary Porowiec of Chicago belong to a large group of Polish relatives who routinely get together each summer. This year, they chose the recent 13th annual Polka Party at the Hammond Marina as their party destination.
“We have real Polish food, drinks and dancing music. What else could we want? ” Mary Porowiec said with a laugh as she headed for the Marina patio to dance. “And we’ve already run into some old friends, so this is like a big Polish wedding,”
Hundreds of other party-goers joined her at the event.
“We come to this fest every year, we wouldn’t miss it for the world,” said James Prentiss, of Hobart. “It doesn’t cost us a thing except our time and gas to get here. Now that my wife and I are retired, we’re enjoying many things we couldn’t before.”
The yearly Polka Party — the last event on Hammond’s Festival of the Lakes schedule — offered free admission and parking, with courtesy shuttle cart rides from the parking lot to the marina.
The D Street Band served up traditional polkas and the patio/ makeshift dance floor remained crowded throughout the afternoon.
Not everyone came to dance, though. Many were there to enjoy the beautiful backdrop of Lake Michigan with the marina and colorful boats.
The small beach to the north was occupied with boaters and their families; and a few men were fishing off the marina pier as well as a few walkers out for an afternoon stroll.
But all of these people had to pass the Polka Party to get to their destination.
“I had no ideas they do this every year,” Paula Pantay of Hammond said as she checked her pedometer. “I have some relatives that would love this. Maybe they can come next year.”
Hammond’s Cavalier Inn provided pierogies, polish sausage, and cabbage and noodles.
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Students from Hammond’s College Bound Program volunteered for the event, directing visitors and selling water and cold drinks.
“I’ve never heard this kind of music before,” Naselyn Famania said as she filled a large tub with ice. “This is a cool event, I like to see everyone having fun.”
In addition to the tables and chairs set up around the patio, many visitors brought lawn chairs and blankets of their own. They were spread out along the grassy hill across the parking lot, as well as behind the band near the boating docks.
“What a wonderful day to spend the day.” James Littleton of Chicago said as his grandchildren settled on a blanket to eat their pierogies. “I grew up in Hammond, but they never had this beautiful marina then. The city of Hammond has been very progressive in building this. It’s very impressive.”
As they band put away their instruments, there already was talk among the crowd of returning next year.
“We’ll be the first ones in line when the doors open,” Lynda Schell of Crown Point said with a laugh as she and her family folded their lawn chairs. “I don’t know anyone who comes here that doesn’t have a great time. Music lifts everyone’s soul.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.