What is Dyngus Day?

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With it being a week since the Polish festivity I thought I would write about what Dyngus Day really is. Dyngus Day is a celebration held on Easter Monday in Poland. In tradition, boys dump water over girls they like and then spank them with pussy willows. In modern times, it is known as guys squirting girls they like with squirt guns and the girls chasing them away with the pussy willows. This tradition has been traced back to the 15th century. Dyngus Day in America is most notably known in Buffalo, NY according to Wikipedia. Other big Dyngus Day celebrations take place in Chicago, IL. "The Buffalo Dyngus Day celebrations only started in the 1960s as an effort by the Polish-American community in the city to find a new focus for its identity. It proved hugely successful, to the point that a local newspaper claimed that "everybody is Polish on Dyngus Day. It has become a fusion of Polish and American traditions, with polka bands and Polish food accompanying American patriotic songs sung in English.Party-goers dress up in the red-and-white colors of the Polish flag and carry balloons saying "Happy Dyngus Day" in English." (Wikipedia.com)

While there are a variety of places to go for Dyngus Day in Buffalo the east side of Buffalo is one of the biggest hot spots to go for the celebrations. The parade kicks off at the Broadway Market and makes its way down Fillmore Ave. to the Central Terminal grounds where this year they were host to the festivities outside the building due to renovations taking place. Below are some pictures of the new set-up. Food trucks lined the outskirts of the entrance before you made your way into one of the tents that served a wide array of alcohol and food.

Like people say "everyone is Polish on Dyngus Day." Mark it in your calendars, next years Dyngus Day is Monday, April 21, 2014.

-B

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Happy Dyngus Day!

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436_DD_TREEHappy Dyngus Day! For more information on today's festivities take a look at the Dyngus Day Buffalo website below for all the information you need: schedule of events, times, locations and prices- Dyngus Day Buffalo If you're celebrating today, don't forget those pussy willows and squirt guns!

Can't wait to share more on this Polish Celebration with you later in the week!

-B

 

St. Patrick's Day Festivities

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Handmade Invitations St. Patrick's Day is just around the corner and I have not one ounce of Irish in me, so if it wasn't for it being my birthday I would be clueless as to what goes on around town for this holiday. As you prepare this week to get your green and gold outfits out, I wanted to share some information with you.

Did you know South Buffalo is known in town for its large Irish American Community?  If you haven't had a chance to experience St. Patrick's Day in this area I highly suggest you try and make a trip there sometime this upcoming weekend. There will be a variety of activities going on and you will be able to experience the Irish Holiday the Irish way.

Here are a list of parades taking place this weekend...

...And if you're looking for a place to go for drinks, try one of these Irish Pubs in the area. (If you want more information on weekend festivities at any of these places click on their name and you'll be directed to their website).

What are some of your favorite places to go this weekend to celebrate the holiday?

-B

7 days away...

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Valentine's Day Valentines Day is defined by dictionary.com as "a day for the exchange of tokens of affection." With it only being one week away, below are some of my thoughts, ideas, and places on where to go around town.

1. My thought: If you love someone you should show them everyday, not just on this one day of the year.

2. If giving a gift.. BE CREATIVE - putting the effort in to think of something outside of the box always means more to the person receiving the gift. It shows you put the thought and time in.

3. If you are giving the classic gift of flowers or chocolate to someone try to get the chocolate that person likes or the flowers that person likes. Wahl's Candies in Cheektowaga offers a lot of varieties to choose from. Zillycakes on Elmwood is a fun and creative bakery that offers more of a personal touch and North Park Florist offer beautiful floral arrangements.

4. Have a gift and want to have it wrapped in a unique way? Head over to Balloon Masters with your things and they will put your gifts inside a balloon. Its a neat and different way to wrap your gift. (Note: give a few days notice, sometimes it can take up to 24-48 hours to be done).

5. If planning an activity, try something new, maybe a little scavenger hunt around the city, or a new restaurant, or going to a museum. If you both like to be outdoors plan a trip to the Southtowns Chestnut Ridge, Holiday Valley or Kissing Bridge are all nice places to go to this time of year.

While Valentine's Day is primarily focused on couples, it isn't just about you and your other half. Its about showing the people you love and care about the most in your life how much you appreciate them.

Regardless of what gifts you receive or what activities you do... Happy (7 days early) Valentine's Day from me to you.

-B