"Na zdrowie!" (To your health/cheers in Polish)

I learned the above phrase today. I learned others, but have already forgotten them. The emcee at the Polish Festival in North Portland was once upon a time a language instructor, therefore, we practiced...A LOT. I added to my list of festival attendance today and enjoyed my experience. There were a lot of people in who came out to enjoy the 16th Annual Polish Festival. There were dancers, singers, food, cultural clothes, and Polish goods. Who can ask for more at a festival of any sort? The festival was put on by the St. Stanislaus Parish and Polish Library Building Association.

I know I have said this before, but one of the things I truly love about going to cultural festivals happens to be the clothing.

This group was a Polish Choir that had come from Seattle. In this photo they were singing the Polish National Anthem.

This is part of one of the stained glass windows in St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. The only Polish Church in Portland.


While there was a little break in the entertainment I wondered through the vendors booths. There were beautiful pieces of pottery, jewlery, and clothing. The above shaws came in all colors.

This is a dance group from Vancouver B.C. and they were AMAZING!

The clothing in the above picture would be what "royalty" would wear. While the clothing in the following picture is what the "worker" would wear.

It was a fun festival and I hope to return next year!

On a transportation related side note: I rode the MAX Green Line part way to the festival today. It opened officially 2 weeks ago today and I had yet to ride it, even though there is a stop at the bottom of my hill. It was convenient as parking would have been crazy at the festival. Looking forward to attempting to ride it to work sometime. I say attempting because it would require me to get earlier and leave home earlier in the morning...not an easy thing for me to do, but I can aspire to it, right?!