PEACH WEEKENDER

Festival to transport Toledo to Poland

Chicago resident Adam Przybylski holds up a t-shirt in his tent of Polish clothing and accessories during last year's festival on LaGrange St.

All things Polish will be celebrated this weekend at the Lagrange Street Polish Festival on Lagrange between Central Avenue and Mettler Street in the heart of Toledo's Polish International Village. It's another year of family-friendly entertainment, authentic Polish foods, live music, dancing, contests, and much more. In addition, there will be free children's activities, polka demonstrations and contest, pierogi-eating contests, a beer garden, trivia contest, magic shows and crafts.

Live musical performances include Polka Music from Bainov at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Polka Floyd at 6:15 p.m. On Saturday, the Polka Zone Band performs at noon, followed by the Ted Lange Band at 1 p.m. and Dyna-Brass Band at 7 p.m. Bainov Band will close out the show with an 8 p.m. concert. Polish American Concert Band will open at noon Sunday, followed by Duane Malinowski Band at 2:30 p.m. and Kuszwanc Kids Band at 3:30 p.m. Echoes of Poland dance group will perform several times over the course of the three-day festival.

Festival gates are open 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $4 Friday and Saturday and $2 Sunday. Children age 8 and under are admitted free with an adult. Guests under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. A shuttle will transport festival-goers from the parking lot of Central Catholic High School to the festival grounds. Fare is $1. Proceeds from the festival are invested in the neighborhood through home renovations, central business district maintenance, and scholarships to area students. Information: polishfestival.org.

• The Waterville Historical Society will host Metroparks historian Jennifer Christensen, for a Canal Days presentation. Christensen portrays Virginia Bennett, an educated young woman working on the canals in the mid-19th century. Using slides and props, Christensen will show the contrast between life today and that of times past. The free program begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Browning Community Center, south of Waterville on Neowash Road.

• Rapids Rally by the River is back in Grand Rapids this weekend. The family-friendly event will feature food, fashion, art, and lots of activities. A parade is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Other highlights include a farmers' market, sidewalk sale, community play, rubber ducky race, and live music. The fun takes place Saturday and Sunday along the streets of downtown Grand Rapids. Information: grandrapidsohio.com.