Dyngus Day 2009

This year Dyngus day falls on April 13, 2009 (easter monday). City of Laporte will have it's 22nd annual Dyngus day celebration. Free public transportation will be provided by Transporte. City bears no expense, the tavern association pays for everything. Come join the party! Collect your buttons! Get your beeds! Try some good polish food and enjoy cheap drinks and freebees!

Ride the Buses
starting at 4 p.m. at City Hall or 5 p.m. at your favorite stop

Participating Taverns

1. WESTERN INN 610 "J" st. 325-3094
Food-cabbage rolls, potato cakes
Entertainment by Music Man

2. DICK'S BAR 912 Lincolnway 326-9702
Food-polish sausage, kraut, kluski noodles
Entertainment by

3. LITTLE TAVERN 102 Truesdell 362-8624
Food-pierogies
Entertainment by

4. 3RD BASE BAR & GRILL 1201 Pine Lake Ave. 324-0300
Food-polish brats
Entertainment by

5. THE HILL TOP BAR & GRILL 502 Pulaski st 362-6308
Food- kraut dog, chips & polish pickle
Entertainment by

6. PNA CLUB 306 Park st 362-7619
Food- polish sausage sandwich, kraut
entertainment by

7. MICKEY'S 501 Tipton St 362-1826
Food- sauerkraut, sausage
Entertainment by

8. SHOOTERS BAR & GRILL 201 Washington st 362-2417
Food- cabbage rolls
Entertainment by

9. RINGERS SPORTS BAR & GRILL 311 Washington st 326-6412
Food- stuffed cabbage, pierogies
Entertainment by

10. JULIE'S 513 Washington st 324-3346
Food- polish ham sandwich & chips
Entertainment by


Nazdrowie! (Cheers!)



What is Dyngus Day?

Dyngus Day is an old Eastern European tradition celebrating the end of Lent and the rebirth of spring. But in all actuality there’s not a lot of people who celebrate it anywhere. They don’t really celebrate it a on a wide scale in Poland or Eastern Europe anymore. Dyngus Day is largely an American holiday now, celebrated in Polish and Eastern European enclaves in cities like Chicago, Milwaukee, South Bend, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Laporte. Dyngus Day parties began to spring up in every neighborhood where Poles had settled, especially in church halls, community centers and VFW posts. Once upon a time, the Dyngus festivities lasted a week, until the post-Resurrection party was shortened to one day in the 19th century, by decree of the Catholic Church. On that one day, young men would signal their amorous intentions to young women by dousing them with water. (In one iteration of this tradition, the young man sneaks into his intended’s bedroom-most likely with the complicity of the young woman’s mother or father-and wakes her with a bucket of cold water.) Women would respond by beating young men with pussy willows. Thus it is known as Wet Monday in Poland, or smigus-dyngus. Smigus means to strike, more or less, evoking the pussy willows, while dyngus means a worthy gift or ransom, referring to the small gifts, often decorated eggs, that were exchanged as part of the holiday.

The traditions of Dyngus Day predate Christianity in Poland by hundreds of years, and are derived from pagan celebrations welcoming the spring. Like Mardi Gras-its pre-Lenten counterpart-Dyngus Day may be related to the Roman Lupercalia, with which it shares an emphasis on courtship and fertility rituals. So pussy willows signify the advent of spring and rebirth; water signifies life and fertility. The prodigious eating and drinking that attend Dyngus Day signify relief.

Free Activities in La Porte, Indiana

Odyssey Arts and Cultural Events Series - A multi-piece contemporary sculpture exhibit that graces the 268 acre campus of the PNC Westville campus.

Mount Baldy - This 123 foot sand dune is within the boundaries of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Picnicking, restrooms, hiking and vistas of Lake Michigan and its southern shoreline.

Washington Park & Lighthouse - Walk out to the lighthouse pier or enjoy a picnic in one of our many shelters. Plan to have a wedding in the historic gazebo, play tennis, or just walk in our garden or along the sand dunes.

LaPorte Municipal Band - Concerts by the City Band and others on Wednesdays, varied arts performances from Jazz to opera on Thursdays, and patriotic/inspirational music on Fridays.

Michigan City Municipal Band - Experience live musical performances under the stars near the shores of Lake Michigan in Washington Park. Seating available or bring your own chair.

Anderson's Orchard & Winery - Market winery and vineyard. Bedding plants, seedless table grapes, and apples in season. Free wine tasting; bakery, gift shop,
imported steins and crystal.

BackRoad brewery- "Small brewery big beers" www.backroadbrewery.com Free beer tasting Saturdays 1-4pm
Located at 308 Perry St. LaPorte, IN 46350 Phone: 219.362.7623

Bikeways - A system of Bike Routes in LaPorte County, Indiana. Bicycling and fitness opportunities abound using these 20 bike loops or bike trails.

County Parks - Over 600 acres of nature's beauty for your enjoyment at four various locations - Bluhm, Creek Ridge, Luhr, and Red Mill.

Skate Park - The Michigan City Skate Park is available for skating and biking. This 22,000 square foot site has over 35 different ramps and rails. Located at Pullman Park, 550 W 4th Street.
Laporte's "Thrills n' Spills" Skate Park is located at Fox park, overlooking clear lake.

March happenings!

Greater Sandhill Cranes Spring Migration February 1, 2009 — April 30, 2009 Times: Call for hours Location: Jasper-Pulaski State Fish & Wildlife Area, SR 143, Medaryville, IN

"2D & Sculpture: Ricardo Manuel Diaz & Truman Lowe"-Hyndman Gallery March 14, 2009 — May 17, 2009 http://www.lubeznikcenter.org Location: Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W 2nd St, Michigan City, I

"Regional Juried Art Exhibition" March 14, 2009 — May 16, 2009 http://www.lubeznikcenter.org Location: Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W 2nd St, Michigan City, IN

Ideas That Move: Visual Styles & Animation-Brincka Gallery March 14, 2009 — May 17, 2009 http://lubeznikcenter.org Location: Lubeznik Center, 101 W 2nd St, Michigan City, IN

"Animation"- Brincka Gallery March 16, 2009 — May 4, 2009 http://www.lubeznikcenter.org Location: Lubeznik Center for the Arts, 101 W 2nd St, Michigan City, IN

Greater Tuna March 27, 2009 — April 5, 2009 Times: Fri & Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm http://www.footlightplayers.org Location: Footlight Players, 1705 Franklin St, Michigan City IN

Old Lighthouse Museum Opens April 1, 2009 Times: Call for tours and rates Location: Washington Park, Michigan City, IN

Vintage Fashion Accessories Exhibit April 1, 2009 — April 30, 2009 Times: 10am-4:30pm Tues-Sat http://www.laportecountyhistory.org Location: LaPorte County Historical Society Museum, 2405 Indiana Ave, LaPorte, IN

1st Annual Beach Bowling Bash April 4, 2009 Times: Registration is $48 per team of 4 http://www.laportejaycees.org/index.asp Location: Casey's Lanes, 610 Colfax Ave, LaPorte, IN

20th Annual Bluesfest April 4, 2009 Times: Call for hours Location: LaPorte Civic Auditorium, 1001 Ridge St, LaPorte, IN

LaPorte Little Theatre Club Presents the Emerald City Theatre Company - 2 Great shows for Kids April 4, 2009 Times: 11am & 2pm Location: LaPorte Little Theatre, 3rd & A Street, LaPorte, IN

LaPorte Little Theatre Summer Acting Workshop April 4, 2009 Times: Sign Ups 11am-3pm Location: LaPorte Little Theatre, 3rd & A St, LaPorte, IN

Prairie Pride Folk Art Show April 4, 2009 — April 5, 2009 Times: 10am-5pm Location: Fawn Run Farm, 3883 E 700 N, Rolling Prairie, IN