Open Your Maw for Zabawa

Fred Krugger

Guests enjoy 2015 Zabawa Festival

FRIDAY, AUG. 27 - 29

There is a saying in Poland that "a guest at home is God at home" — and if you're ever invited to dinner in a Polish household, you'll quickly understand why. Through multiple courses of food and drink, the mortal limits of your rapidly distending stomach will be tested, and quite possibly your sobriety. Guests are expected to take it all in, faithful that there's true friendship on the other side of the food coma.

Over the span of Zabawa's nearly 30 year history, the parishioners at Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church have prepared untold quantities of pierogies, golabki (stuffed cabbage), haluski (fried cabbage and noodles), potato pancakes, kielbasa, paczki (donuts), and more with the hopes of not forming only individual friendships, but a lasting relationship with the Erie community at large. Given how quickly all those tasty homemade delicacies sell out during each August's iteration, it would seem that the good vibes at the corner of East 23rd and Reed are reciprocal. 

Zabawa (which means "fun") returns for the 28th time this weekend, with three days of music, beverage, and food. A one-of-a-kind polka mass will be presided over by Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie Bishop Lawrence Persico on Saturday evening at 5 p.m., with a Polish heritage mass featuring traditional Polish hymns to follow on Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m. Secular entertainment includes the Polka Country Musicians on Friday; the Concertina All-Stars, Mar-Vels, and Dennis Polisky & the Maestro's Men on Saturday; and Dyna Brass on Sunday. DJ Ken Olowin will serve as MC for the festivities. 

Hope you're hungry. Na zdrowie! (To health!) Smacznego! (Enjoy your meal!)

Friday 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday noon to 10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. // Holy Trinity RC Church, 2220 Reed St. (additional free parking and shuttle service available from E. 34th and Ash) // Free admission // holytrinityrc.org