ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Fourth of July may have passed, but Escanaba’s Downtown Development Authority (DDA) kept the celebration going Friday evening.
The DDA hosted a Patriotic Polka Party at the Karas Bandshell in Ludington Park. Attendees enjoyed food, raffles, and authentic polka music performed by The Mix, a band from Pulaski, Wisconsin. A few rows of seating were removed to create a dance floor.
DDA Board member Janice Beauchamp came up with the idea of adding a polka concert to Escanaba’s growing live music scene. She says when she suggested it to the rest of the board, they jumped at the opportunity.
“I am Polish, and since I’ve been a kid I’ve been involved with polka music,” Beauchamp said. “I went to Pulaski Days early on and my most recent trip to Pulaski was last year, so it’s been a tradition kind of. I enjoy the music. I feel like it’s very uplifting and happy music.”
The Patriotic Polka Party received a large and enthusiastic turnout. The DDA hopes to make it an annual event, with Director Craig Woerpel saying, “Traditional music; new tradition.”
Other DDA live music events this summer include the Wednesday Lunch on Ludington Street concert series and Second Friday Night Jam concerts. Marina Fest is scheduled for July 27, and Rock the Dock will take place on August 3. For details on these and other events, follow Downtown Escanaba on Facebook or visit EscanabaDowntown.com.
