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Borrego Springs, CA

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Pierogi Fest 2011

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Robyn, the Grandgirls, and I were off to the 17th Pierogi Fest in Whiting, IN, this morning.  Not being of Polish descent, I’ve never had an authentic Pierogi.  I was looking forward to the experience.  Whiting is about an hour’s drive, in urban traffic, from Robyn’s house.  The Fest began at 11:00 today, and we were there shortly after, but had to walk about a half mile to get there.  We parked free along the street and noticed that as we got closer the prices rose to $15 for parking. 

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Just to the right of the entrance to the historic 119th Street entrance was a fountain.  Even the fountain herons were wearing babushkas and aprons!  That was a good sign.

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We stopped at the fountain briefly so the girls could see it, and I could cool down a bit.  It was dang hot out!  Isn’t is funny how if you stop to take a picture of something, others around you stop too, and bring out their cameras?

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A Polish Pierogi Fest is obviously about food, and there was plenty of it.  (I hope you’ll click to enlarge)  There were pierogis, potato pancakes, shish-ka-bobs, and huge Polish sausages to choose from.  In the lower left picture, one of the young workers seems to be enjoying the experience, but Busha is all business getting those pancakes out.  Smile  The picture on the lower right is the stand we stopped at for our potato/cheese pierogis.  Interestingly, the workers at this stand were deaf, and only the person taking the orders could hear. 

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By the time we got our order, the sweat was just pouring off of me, and I had to take my glasses off because I needed windshield wipers to keep them clear.  A woman in the crowd approached me and asked if I needed to sit down.  Since I’ve been very young, when I get hot my face turns beat red and the sweat just runs down my face.  I did need to sit down, and we found a picnic table to sit at in the shade to enjoy the pierogis.  Even though I’ve spent a lot of time in the hot steamy south, today’s heat and humidity really got to me.

Shortly afterward, we turned around and headed back the way we had come.  We didn’t quite make it to the end of the Fest area. 

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On the way back, I suggested stopping to see the three man polka band (drums, trumpet, and accordion) on one of the side streets.  The polka beat spoke to Robyn and the girls.  Smile  If I come back here again next summer, we have intentions of returning to this festival.  I sure would have liked to have a taste of all the ethnic offerings.  Oprah has rated this one of the best seven festivals in the Chicago area, and now that I have more information on it I’d like to return under better weather conditions.

When we got back to Robyn’s house, we all headed for the pool to cool off.  I’ll save those pics for a later post.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

23 comments:

  1. Okay, I am hungry again after just eating. They sure look good.

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  2. Born and raised in the Milwaukee area, but I never had pierogis until I lived in California. I get them frozen at Safeway!

    I like to have them for lunch once in awhile in the winter months.

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  3. I have a polish uncle and 2 Ukrainian sister in laws and I would hate to have to say who makes the best pierogi cause they are all different and all delish!!!

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  4. Isn't this heat and humidity something? I know what you mean about the face turning beet red & the sweat running. That's the way I am too. I used to walk a mile or so out of town & back, but finally I gave it up when people were always stopping to ask if I was all right and if I needed a ride because I looked like I was about to die on the spot. So, I guess I can blame the added weight on my red face can't I??

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  5. You walked within 1/2 block from my sister's house.

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  6. Pierogi Fest? Need to put that on my calendar of events to visit. Pierogis are my family's traditional Christmas Eve meal. Potato and cheese being the favorites. I've made them twice in the RV. Not an easy thing to do, but can be done to uphold tradition!

    But really can't imagine them in this heat... Much better as a cold weather treat...

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  7. now I am hungry!!!got any perogies??

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  8. I've never tasted a peirogi. I've heard of them, but I didn't even remember how to spell it!

    Me three, on the red face with sweat running down--even worse when you wear glasses. Ugh!

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  9. that looks like a ton of food!!!

    I am just like you ~ sweat on the head!!! so distasteful!!!!!

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  10. looks like there was all kind of yummy fest food to partake of.

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  11. Don't think I have ever eaten a pierogi but I can tell they would be something I would probably O.D. on for sure. I like food like that.

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  12. Good for you getting out in the heat. Heck, during the middle of the day, we're typically tucked up indoors. It's not so much the heat but the humidity knocks us for a loop. The festival looks fun and I hope you get to return next year to see it all!

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  13. My mom made the best Perogis, but the way she made hers, you could make a meal out of just one...they were huge. We miss those kinds of festivals, always had them in Michigan but not too much out west.

    Keep cool...the weather here in Indiana is really humid.

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  14. I also love Perogis and I have probably never had ones as good as those. That looks like a festival to put on "the list". Thanks for sharing

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  15. I've never had a Perogi, I'm not even sure what they are. My face also gets very red when I get overheated. It feels like my head is going to explode. This heat is crazy. I don't think I've ever said I'm looking forward to fall, but this year, bring it on!

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  16. I 'think' I may have had one at a friends house when I was a teenager -LONG time ago - but I didn't know what it was called. Is it kinda like mashed potatoes in pastry and I think she boiled them in water. Can't remember but I loved them and have never forgotten. If that is a pierogi then I want another one! At any rate all that food looked wonderful. We have a similar thing in a neighboring town called the Scandinavian Festival. It is great fun and so much wonderful ethnic food.

    Have you ever heard of a neck cooler? It is a long narrow pocket of fabric filled with some kind of polymer beads. You soak it in water and the beads swell up and retain the water. Then you wear it around your neck and it really helps keep you cooler. I got one at a local fair and I love it cuz I just can't take the heat.

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  17. Here's my description of a pierogi for those who are wondering...

    Think of a triangle shaped ravioli stuffed with either mashed potatoes & cheese, potatoes and onions, beef, sauerkraut or cottage cheese (those are the kinds we've had.) Boiled in water, served with lots of melted butter and if you want to be really decadent, a dollop of sour cream. Even better as leftovers pan fried in more butter.

    Johnny calls them "artery cloggers."

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  18. After I asked myself,"what the heck is a pirogi" and did a google search and saved a recipe, I found you missed the Holly Rollers - a group of nuns that roler skated in the parade. You'll definitely have to make the parade next time.

    Sorry the weather is so bad. We are having a cool day today - only 92 so I'm making one more water run. Then I'll help band ducks tonight for my play time.

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  19. Our daughter-in-law is Polish/Irish..She makes what she calls Lazy Peirogis and goes into Chicago Southside to get Bobak's sausages for it...IT IS GREAT~~ My Dad and I used to love to Polka...he was quite a dancer in his day and taught me well...

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  20. That food sure looked good. Definitely worth a return trip for you. (Thanks for the bird info)

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