by Brian Turrel
A crowd of a few hundred celebrated Polish culture and heritage with a parade and festival in Kansas City, Kansas. The parade, led by grand marshal and Channel 41 anchorman Mike Marusarz, followed Central Avenue from 12th Street to 8th before turning north to end at All Saints Parish at 8th and Vermont.
The festival featured live music, traditional foods and kid-friendly activities. Proceeds from food sales and a benefit auction go to support renovations at the parish.
T-shirts with quips about Polish heritage were the most frequent outfit, but nearly as common were shirts supporting one of three candidates for Wyandotte County judge: Tony Martinez, Mike Nichols and Jane Sieve Wilson. All three candidates have ties to the Kansas City Catholic community and sponsored a float in the parade.
Many other floats were sponsored by family groups with Polish roots, giving the event the feel of an extended family reunion.
