with the Wisconsin Dells Polish Fest. Unfortunately, I have
never been able to attend, but really wished that I could.
Just found out last year, that my brother who Lives In
Twin Lakes Wisconsin, didn't even think that he was a Polka
fan, has been going to the festival for years. I almost went with
him last year, but because of health issues I had to bow out.
The other day I happened to ask them if they were going to
go to the Dells Fest this year, this was his E-Mail reply which I thought that you would find interesting.
" We looked at the Dells on line and decided some time ago
that this was not what we wanted. Nancy is afraid that the
entire element will change there, what with the addition of the
rock bands and the country bands.
It was fun when it was ALL POLISH..the food, the vendors,
the people. Now, if you add that different element, I think all of
that must change and will change to accommodate the new
element. We feel that it was called the Wisconsin Dells Polish
Fest for a reason. We can go to see rock and roll bands any
weekend at any outdoor festival. Not so easy to find good polka
music. We thought that we would give the Dells a rest for this
year and see if there are any comments about it after it's over.
My guess.....the old way will never return.
I'm hoping that the original guy will split it off and make a
separate event for the Polish only".
When he refers to the other guy, he means you Patrick.
I didn't realize that you had been ruuning the festival since
1986. You are to be congratulated. That is quite an impressive
accomplishment.
As I said before, my brother and his wife live in Twin Lakes
Wisconsin. In the month of September, they are used to
finding Octoberfests and polka bands all over the place.
Their son lives in Appleton Wisconsin and every year for one weekend, they close the whole town down and the people just walk from corner to corner and on every corner is a different
polka band. Nobody worries about whether there are any rock
bands that weekend.. He claims that it is so mobbed that you
can hardly move.
Anyway, hope that you are doing well. I really miss your radio
show on Sundays. It's a shame that in an industry that already
is in such trouble, that there has to be a competition amongst
promoters trying to attract those few people that still frequent the polka affairs Instead of working together for the good of the business. Of course, nobody really wins, but a lot of people
lose, and of course the biggest loser in the end is Polka Music.
Justus In Justice
Bob Dworak
(Drummer)
