Join us (either by walking with us, or cheering us from the sidelines) for the annual Polish Day Parade on Labor Day, September 5, at 1:30 pm, in downtown Hamtramck. The annual parade is organized by the PAC−MI Parade Committee, and this year will honor the Polish American Federal Credit Union celebrating its 40th anniversary. The parade Grand Marshal this year is Mr. George Lukowski (pictured), a local businessman and philanthropist.
A long, rich history is associated with the founding of the Polish Day Parade. In the 1930s, the roots of the present day Polish Day Parade took hold with the May 3 Polish Constitution Day observance held on
Detroit’s Belle Isle. The Polish Day Parade evolved into the Pulaski Day Parade and was held in the fall of each year in downtown Detroit.
In 1977, Paul C. Odrobina, as president of the Polish American Congress, Michigan Division, and as city council member saw the need for the Polish Day Parade to continue in Hamtramck. Odrobina said, “I was happy to continue the tradition in the city of Hamtramck by having the parade committee agree to stage the parade on Joseph Campau Avenue during the city’s annual festival.” He continued, “The Polish Day Parade is an annual tradition that celebrates Polish American life. The parade brings out all that is good about one’s Polish heritage. We all should be proud of who we are and what we contribute to America.”
For more information, call 313−365−9400.
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.