This year’s Dyngus Day will be much the same as always, thankfully, as the event kicks back into gear after a long and insufferable pandemic. Attendees to Dyngus Day will be happy to get back to business-as-usual, with Polka dancing, pierogi, piwo, bands, pussy willows, squirt guns, and the spotlight parade.
What is different this year is the parade route. As Dyngus Day has grown in popularity in Buffalo, a need for a different parade route has arisen. In 2022, the new route will be down the heart of Broadway, from Memorial Drive to Fillmore Avenue. Not only will Broadway provide sufficient room to grow the parade in years to come, it will also help to shine a light on an important corridor that is just starting to see some real traction. Broadway also leads directly into the heart of downtown. As more and more businesses set up shop along Broadway, the street will one day – fingers crossed – become a significant corridor once again. In the meantime, the more activity on the street, the better.
The internationally-heralded, and Anderson Cooper-approved Dyngus Day event is chock full of surprises this year. To that end, the festival committee has created an official guide to glean, which features a Venu Menu, parade route map, information on obtaining a Pussy Willow Pass, listings for performance times and settings, the history surrounding the event, tips on cultural customs, pre and post-parties, where to find the wearables, hat tips to organizers and supporters, and even information on like-minded Polish heritage events throughout the course of the year.
Buffalo is Dyngus Day-stronger than ever!
Click here to view the complete guide to Dyngus Day in Buffalo, 2022
The concept of starting over (springtime) is something that humans celebrate regardless of cultural background. The wonder of watching nature come back to life after months of dormancy is something that never tires regardless of ones age or experience. The satisfaction that comes with the warmth associated with longer days and shorter nights causes quirky celebrations all across the globe.
In Switzerland they burn snowmen at the stake. In India they throw dyed powder at each other. In Scotland children run around churches making noise and swinging paper balls on strings above their heads. In Buffalo, we spank each other with pussy willow branches and splash water at objects of our affection. That’s the way we do it.
Eddy Dobosiewicz, Dyngus Day Buffalo