| 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. |
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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. |
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August 28, 1977,
the third Cedar Polish Festival parade.
Photographer unknown
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