Polski Day will go on – but more quietly – without Don Lipovac

For the first time in a decade, the annual  Polski Day festivities in Kansas City, Kansas – a celebration of the long Polish heritage of Strawberry Hill – will not showcase the accordion styling of the legendary Don Lipovac. The popular entertainer and recording artist died April 26.

But the show – and the dinner – must go on.

“Everyone loved Don,” says Kathy Kolenda-Smith, the chairman of the festival. “He was a mainstay of our festival, even though he wasn’t Polish but of Slovenian and Croation heritage. He grew up in Strawberry Hill and knew all of the traditional music of the many different ethnic groups here.”

There will still be accordian music at this Saturday’s festival, says Kolenda-Smith, who oversees the event. An Omaha band, Sheelytown, led by accordianist John Szalewski, will play at the 30th Annual Polski Day at All Saints Parish, at 811 Vermont, in Kansas City, Kansas. The traditional parade begins at 11 a.m. at 12th Street and Central. The church hall begins serving Polish dishes – kielbasa, golambki, pierogi, kapusta and a variety of pastries – at 11 a.m. Be prepared to stand in line.

A special Polka mass will be held at 4 p.m. at All Saints Parish.