PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Thousands gathered on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Sunday to celebrate the 92nd annual Pulaski Day Parade, marking the beginning of Polish American Heritage Month with music, dancing, and cultural pride.
Under clear skies and mild temperatures, families and spectators lined the parkway to honor Polish culture and the legacy of General Casimir Pulaski, a Polish military commander who played a key role in the American Revolutionary War.
“It’s great to see so many people celebrating the heritage,” said Jennifer Black of Northeast Philadelphia.
The parade has long been a tradition for many in the region, including Kazimierz Folta of Port Richmond.
“I came in 1982 to Philadelphia, from that time I was in every year parade,” Folta said.
Floats, traditional music, and dancers in vibrant Polish attire filled the streets, drawing cheers from the crowd. For some, the event was a chance to reconnect with their roots and pass traditions down through generations.
“I am always so proud of my Polish upbringing and heritage,” said Marianne Maloney of Hainesport, New Jersey. Her daughter, Krista Roman of Rittenhouse Square, added, “She very much passed those down to us and forced us to do things like this which at the time we might’ve complained about but now that we’re older we do hold special.”
6abc, a longtime sponsor of the parade, broadcasted the event live. Anchor Alicia Vitarelli co-hosted alongside Michael Blichasz, president of the Polish American Cultural Center.
“Thousands of marchers are coming down. Three generations of families – it’s one of my favorite days of the year,” Vitarelli said. “Just the way that Philadelphia comes together for every cultural parade that we do, it’s the same today.”
For attendees like Christopher Wierzbickr of Northeast Philadelphia, the event was more than just a celebration – it was a reminder of identity.
“You never forget where you came from,” Wierzbickr said.
The Pulaski Day Parade continues to be a vibrant display of Polish pride and a cherished tradition for many in the Philadelphia area.
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