The Third Cedar Polish Festival, August 28, 1977. Photographer Unknown.
The Cedar Polka Festival originated from a suggestion. In 1975, a few members of the Polish Legion of American Veterans (PLAV) from Dearborn, Michigan were vacationing in Leelanau County and learned that Cedar was a Polish community. At that point Cedar had not yet organized any public celebration of its Polish heritage. They approached the Chamber of Commerce and suggested a standard heritage festival with Polish music, dancing, and food. The Chamber liked the idea and began organizing their first ever Polish Festival to take place on the evening of Tuesday, August 26, 1975. The second annual Cedar Polish Festival was held on Thursday, August 26, 1976, and the third on August 28, 1977.
After the Festival in 1977, the Cedar Polish Festival was suspended. The organizers knew they needed to restructure the festival. In 1982, a new format for the Polish Festival was introduced. First, they renamed it the Cedar Polka Festival. The Chamber erected a tent over the local tennis courts for vendors and games to go beyond the street, and it became a weekend event rather than a single weeknight. In 1989 the Polkafest was extended to four days from three.
The Polka Festival has become a signature event in Leelanau. In 1999, nearly 40,000 people attended from near and far. The Cedar Polka Festival has grown into one of the largest and best events for Polka music and attracts enthusiasts from all over.
The Third Cedar Polish Festival, August 28, 1977. Photographer Unknown.
