The Polish media in Michigan took center stage as the honorees for the 2013 Hamtramck’s Polish Day Parade, held on Labor Day, September 2, in Hamtramck.
“Polish Varieties” radio, TelewizjaDetroit.com and two newspapers, “Polish Weekly” and “Polish Times,” were highlighted as well as their service to the Polish American community in Metro Detroit. The Polish Day Parade Committee prepared a beautiful float showcasing the four Polish media outlets.
A special guest of the parade was Stanley Krajewski, former editor in chief of the “Polish Daily News”. At age 98, Krajewski’s distinguished career in newspaper work first spanned work in journalism in Poland. In the U.S., he continued to work as a reporter and staff writer for the “Polish Daily News,” and later as the paper’s managing editor and then editor in chief.
The history of the Polish parade, in its 37th year in Hamtramck, goes back to the 1930’s. First the parade was held on Detroit’s Belle Isle (as the celebration of the Polish May 3rd Constitution Day). Later, the parade moved to downtown Detroit and it was organized as part of the Pulaski Day in the fall.
In 1977, Paul Odrobina as President of the Polish American Congress Michigan Division and as the Hamtramck City Council member saw the need for the Polish Day Parade to continue in Hamtramck. And since then every year the parade brings together Polish American parishes, organizations, businesses, politicians and dance groups.
This year, the Grand Marshal of the Polish Day Parade was Keith Sadowski, member of the Warren City Council. “I am honored to be a part of this great tradition,” Sadowski told us.
Congratulations to the Polish Day Parade Committee (headed by Hon. Judge John Chmura) for putting another spectacular and successful event showcasing the Polish presence in Michigan. Bravo!
(courtesy of “Polish Times”)
The Polish American Congress (PAC) is a U.S. umbrella organization of Polish-Americans and Polish-American organizations. Its membership is composed of fraternal, educational, veterans, religious, cultural, social, business, and political organizations, as well as individuals.