The Polka Fest celebrates 10th year
The annual McLeod County Polka Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary in a new location.
Organizer Jake Bandemer said the festival began in New Germany, then moved to the McLeod County Fairgrounds for eight years, and will move to the Pla-Mor Ballroom this year.
The event features a variety of music, including polkas, waltzes, two-steps, and schottisches, Bandemer said.
Numerous recreational vehicles, which many participants called home for the three-day event, formed a Polka-town during 2006.
“We only go where there is fast music,” said Les Johnson about the festival last year, who, in black slacks and a white shirt, was dressed to match his dance partner, Ollie Hendon.
Like many dancers on the circuit, Johnson and Hendon traveled from far away, in this case from Berry Creek, Calif. in their RV, to the Hutchinson fair grounds, where the Polka Fest took place.
Festival organizer Audrey Litzau estimated the 2006 event attracted close to 450 people for Friday night alone.
“We averaged from 250 to 1,500 people over three days (in 2006),” she said.
This year, the event is scheduled Thursday-Saturday, June 7-9. Hours are 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, and noon to midnight Saturday.
Bands this year include the Top Notchmen, co-recipients of the Minnesota Ballroom Operators Association band of the year award in 2006. The band has been part of the festival every year.
Other acts include Brian and the Mississippi Valley Dutchmen, the Country Polkateers, and the Leon Olsen Show.
Admission is $28 for a three-day pass. Single-day tickets are also available. Parking is free. There are no RV hookups at this location.
Polka Festival
What: Dancers from all over the country attend the McLeod County Polka Festival.
When, where: Thursday-Saturday, June 7-9 at the Pla-Mor Ballroom, Ninth and Stevens in Glencoe.
