(La Porte, IN) - There were plenty of alcoholic beverages and polish food served during the 38th annual Dyngus Day celebration Monday in La Porte.
Not many communities celebrate Dyngus Day, a centuries old holiday rooted in Poland to celebrate the end of Lent following Easter. The festivities are popular in La Porte where participating tavern owners pay for charter buses to take people to the 10 bars that were on this year’s route.
By 5 p.m., La Porte resident Jeff Gifford had been to seven of the bars just prior to visiting another one for a plate of pierogis. The 64 year old Gifford said he’s been taking part in the festivities every year practically since the annual celebration started.
“It’s a good time,” he said.
Carley Wolford, 28, also of La Porte was one of many patrons at Shooter’s Bar & Grill singing Karaoke songs with people on the dance floor. Wolford had been to four bars previously with plans to go to a few more before the festivities ended.
“It’s a lot of fun to make it out and enjoy the community,” she said.
Xanthe Poplawski grew up in Chicago but now lives in La Porte where she began going out for Dyngus Day in 2017. Poplawski also sang Karaoke but cited the pickle soup at Shooter’s as the main reason for making that her second stop for the evening.
“If you love pickles, you’ll love the soup,” she said.
Poplawski also said she likes riding the buses to the bars and the applause she received after singing a song.
“I’m not in a band but just to be able to sing what I want sounds perfect,” she said.
