The Pringle Plan: Little Polonia

Amazingly, I've lived in Connecticut for over 40 years and never new about the Polish Community in New Britain! That changed on Sunday when I attended the Little Polonia Festival!

Little Poland's Catholic Church

I took shelter in this magnificent Catholic Church during a downpour, and immediately found myself transported to Poland. How is that possible? Well, when festival goers started running for the church, I joined in, having no idea services were in progress. The church was filled with Polish immigrants dressed in their Sunday best. As we stood in the entry politely trying not to interrupt and just stay dry, services ended. I was suddenly in the middle of a crowd, all speaking Polish to one another. I instantly understood what it was like to be in a land where you don't speak the language. I didn't understand a word but enjoyed the sights and sounds, feeling joy in the experience.

Zieleniak Green Grocer

As the rain let up, I slipped out of the church and into this delightful little market filled with baskets of fresh produce, a deli, Polish foods (complete with Polish language packaging), and even Polish language newspapers and magazines! How fun is that?!!!

Booth with Polish Products

Exhibit for the Polish Center of Discovery and Learning in Massachusetts

Rich Badowski Blues Band

Accordions

Polish Food Trucks

There were people dressed in red and white, Polish flags, Polish crafts and products, and Polish musicians. They played blues, rhythm and polka. But the main feature of the festival was the food. Good old world comfort food - Pierogis, stuffed cabbage, potato pancakes, sauerkraut, kielbasa, and much more. I wandered around stopping to eat from time to time. None of it is on my usual plant-based diet, but it was filled with melt in your mouth, flavorful deliciousness! Any way, when in Little Polonia, eat as the Polish do - and Enjoy!