Dyngus Day party brings polka, beer to Bloomington

The 14th annual Dyngus Day celebration kicks off today at Yogi’s Grill and Bar, 519 E. 10th St.\nDyngus Day is a Polish tradition and celebrates the end of the Lent season. In America, Dyngus Day is most celebrated in Buffalo, N.Y., and South Bend according to www.dyngusdaybuffalo.com.\nDyngus Day partygoers must wear clothes that clash, be ready to do the chicken dance and be able to down an obligatory shot of Navip Slivovitz, a plum brandy from Russia, said Yogi’s owner Jim Karl.\n“In order to take a shot of Slivovitz, you must first cleanse your palate with kerosene,” Karl joked. “But on Dyngus Day you have to have at least one.”\nYogi’s also adds special Polish food to the menu like Polish sausage, buffalo sausage, sauerkraut, Polish potato salad, and perogis, a potato pasta. Also, a horse drawn carriage will carry Lebowski Lager from Upland Brewery, down Kirkwood, then up to Yogi’s.\n“This is the first year for the horses and we are very excited,” Karl said.\nKarl said the best attire for the party are the clothes found in the back of your closet and are mismatched. Plaid and stripes are popular, as well as bowling shirts.\n“On this day, you embrace the clothes you are embarrassed to own,” Karl said.\nKarl describes Dyngus Day as a place where both young and old can come, dress funny, drink and have a good time. In 2002, The IU men’s basketball team was playing the championship game on Dyngus Day. Some college students showed up at 11 a.m. to get good seats to watch the game that evening, Karl said. They were not prepared for the unique festivities of Dyngus Day.\n“The college students were offering money to the polka band to stop playing,” Karl said. “But, they ended up having a great time.”\nAfter 2002, more college students began going to Yogi’s to celebrate the day every year and this year is expected to be packed wall to wall. There will be room to chicken dance, Karl said.\nThe party starts at 11 a.m and goes until 3 am. At 6 p.m., the polka band Kid Kazooski with the 3 Pilzudski Twins will perform. The Dynamics and the Schmenge Brothers Blues Band take the stage at 10 p.m.