Pierogi Fest is celebrated in Whiting, Indiana on the last weekend of July every year. This year WBOI’s Araceli Gomez-Aldana visited her hometown to take part in the celebration.
Attracting about 300,000 visitors every year, Pierogi Fest celebrates the popular Eastern European snack of dumplings filled with anything from sauerkraut, cheese, potato, cabbage, onion, meat, hard-boiled eggs and even fruit.
What is a Pierogi?
Credit Araceli Gomez-Aldana
Meat pierogies.
At Pierogi Fest, you will also find the Polka Parade featuring women in housecoats and babushkas (colorful headscarves), known as the buscias. Also present are the Lawnmower Brigade, Mr. Pierogi, Miss Paczki, The Pieroguettes and live music.
There are also a few contests like the pierogi eating contest, the pierogi tossing contest and other special events.
What is a buscua?
Credit Araceli Gomez-Aldana
The Whiting Pierogi Fest Buscias show off their red lipstick.
BusciasWeb.mp3
The Whiting Pierogi Fest Buscias tell us what it's like being a buscia.
Sounds of the Polka Parade
Credit Araceli Gomez-Aldana
Member of the Pierogi Fest lawnmower brigade takes a break during the Polka Parade.
PolkaParadeWeb.mp3
What does Pierogi Fest mean to you?
Credit Melody Augustyn
Jim Augustyn and his wife Melody take a selfie during Pierogi Fest.
JimAugustynWeb.mp3
An interview with life-long Whiting resident Jim Augustyn.
Araceli Gómez-Aldana poses with Mr. Pierogi.
Credit Araceli Gomez-Aldana
Lilliana cooks pierogies for the Kasias stand at Pierogi Fest 2018.
