The Thanksgiving Polka Party that is produced and organized by the Cleveland-style Polka Hall of Fame is being held again this year at the beautiful downtown Marriott Hotel in Cleveland. It is a three day Polka Weekend - Thursday, Friday, Saturday - November 28 - 29 - 30, 2019, and the lineup of bands and musicians is very extensive - as usual. Your hosts and organizers this year are Denny Bucar, Joe Valencic, and Ray Zalokar.
On Thursday (Thanksgiving Day) the music begins with Aaron Dussing's Polka Revolution and continues with Walter Ostanek (Canada's Polka King) and Joey Miskulin (Frankie Yankovic's sidekick for years and now a member of "Riders in the Sky" of Nashville fame). Walter and Joey will be joined onstage by many of the best polka sidemen in the business.
The Friday lineup begins with Linda Lee Brown of Frankenmuth who always welcomes people in the Marriott Lobby - a nice touch when we are getting our rooms and luggage organized. In the ballroom entertainment is by Fritz's Polka Band (this was one of Charlie's favorites), Klancnik and Friends, and the Don Wojtila Band. The Superior Room will have the Fairport Jammers, Harmonia Balkan Review, and Alex Meixner (a polkamaniac - and TV star). Saturday is special. The Polka Hall of Fame music awards show is the highlight of the weekend with awards in all music categories being presented. There is a polka mass with music by Kathy Hlad and friends at 4:30. And following this - more music in the ballroom with the KTB band (Kim, Terry and Brian). This band blew us all away at Slovenefest - so much talent. Then Lynn Marie and E3 (Eddie Rodick III) and that wonderful dance band the Frank Stanger Orchestra. And music in the Superior Room also with Fritz's Polka Band (from New York). And jam sessions and spontaneous breakouts of music throughout the hotel.
There is so much talent, so many Hall of Fame award winners, grammy winners and nominees in the music lineup that you will certainly get your money's worth. Hard to believe but the adult admission FOR ALL THREE DAYS is just $65.00; for those 18 and under admission is free. Of course if you can only make one day or one event prices vary but all is extremely reasonable - less than the price of dinner in a restaurant.
I am organizing a motorcoach again this year with pickups in London, Chatham, and Windsor. Our trip begins on Friday morning and returns to Ontario Sunday. The price includes music for all three days - in the ballroom, the Superior Room, and on the bus; deluxe motorcoach transportation complete with treats and refreshments; luxurious accommodations in the Marriott Hotel; admissions to all of the events; two fabulous dinners at restaurants; shopping, jam sessions, and the Jack Entertainment Casino nearby. Music on the motorcoach is provided by those two wonderful musicians who are my bandmates and my brothers (by a different mother) - Dennis Uhlik and Andy Miinch.
For more information please email polkapromotionsplus@hotmail.com. Seats are limited so please book early for the 2019 Thanksgiving Polka Party.
If you are interested in coming with me on the Polka Party Bus, please let me know as soon as possible as it fills up fast.
Entertaining at the Croation Hall after dinner
Some of the pictures taken on the bus and in our hospitality room show a little bit of the fun we have had in Cleveland. Great musicians and friends always show up to entertain the troops - among others some of the musicians we have had in our hospitality suite are Frank Svet, Rene Martin, Mike Mahler, Frank Stancic, Patty Candela, Kathy Hlad, Bill Perko, Tom Borris, Jim Stavasano, Frank Sajn, and of course Andy Miinch and Dennis Uhlik. What a party!
Pictures from prior bus trips to the Thanksgiving Polka Party
