Being Polish for a Day–Polska Dzien’s 35th Annual

Saturday, June 28, the Polska Dzien celebration in Bremond was a time of remembering, honoring, and having a lot of fun.  Hundreds of folks answered the call to be “Polish for the Day”--chowing down on pierogi, Polish sausage and Polish pickles, and a lot of BBQ–these are Texas Poles after all, and cheering on their favorite runner.

The day started with the Polish Pickle Run–the premier 5K in Robertson County.  For the 35th annual, Beverly Swick chanted the “on your mark, get set, go,” after several intentional false cadences – gotta keep the serious runners on their toes – and they were off. This year’s race honored Beverly’s husband, Ricky Swick, long time mayor of Bremond and supporter of Polish Days, who passed away this year.  

A mere 15 minutes later, overall winner Jordan West raced under the arch after setting a blistering pace.  In a post race interview, Jordan, who was only slightly winded, said he had been a collegiate runner for Baylor, but today, he came to enjoy the time with friends. No friends were even remotely close when he crossed at 15.1 minutes.  He commented that the weather was a little warm but good for a run. 

Five hundred twenty-five runners registered for this year’s race–making it not the all-time highest number but very respectable, for sure. 

Five minutes later the fastest female, Bremond’s own Cheryl Bielamowitz Pendleton - Tony’s daughter for you fans of wood-working - crossed the finish line. She, too, expressed her joy at being there and being able to run the race.  

A little after 9, the kids began their race, with Jude Ruggeri in the lead for the entire race,

Kace Wilganowski, the fastest girl and third overall, was only a few steps behind– long blond pigtail flying. Kace’s mother explained that Kace liked to practice with the boys. It showed. 

BBQ smells from the cook-off filled the air, and classic rock and country kept the toes tapping throughout the races.  

Around 11 am, the parade kicked off. U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions waved from the Republican float next to the float honoring Larry Kotch, one of the founders of Polska Dzien, who passed away in November. The Kotch family served as Parade Grand Marshals. One of Larry’s nephews, Kenneth, described Larry as a man who was quiet, generous and a lover of his city – a man who had made an impact. 

The day continued with games, car show, cook off, and lots of shopping with a host of vendors lining the street, as hundreds participated under the Polish eagle flags.