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Be Sure to Watch in HD!!! Like what you see? Please "Like" and Share with friends. Dyngus Day, the annual post-Lenten bash, attracts tens of thousands to Buffalo, New York to celebrate spring, show Polish pride, flirt with pussy willows and listen to the best polka bands in the nation. Dyngus Day always falls on the Monday after Easter. In 2015, Dyngus Day took place on Monday, April 6th. Activities in the Buffalo-Niagara region have expanded to one week of events. www.dyngusday.com Historically a Polish-American tradition, Dyngus Day celebrates the end of the often restrictive observance of lent and the joy of Easter. Over the decades, Dyngus Day has become a wonderful holiday to celebrate Polish-American culture, heritage and traditions. There are many stories that attempt to explain the origins of the day. Many Polish customs date back to pre-Christian, Slavic practices. The custom of pouring water is an ancient spring rite of cleansing, purification, and fertility. The same is true of the complimentary practice of switching with pussy willow branches. Since 966 A.D., Dyngus Day has been associated with the baptism of Prince Mieszko I. Tradition states that Prince Mieszko I along with his court were baptized on Easter Monday. Thus, Dyngus Day and its rites of sprinkling with water have become a folk celebration in thanksgiving for the fact that the first king of Poland was baptized into Christianity, bringing Catholicism to Poland. In more modern times, the tradition continued when farm boys in Poland wanted to attract notice from the girls of their choice. It was customary to throw water and hit the girls on their legs with twigs or pussywillows. Cologne was used instead of water by the more gallant lads. The ladies would reciprocate by throwing dishes & crockery and Tuesday was their day of revenge, imitating the same tactics. Buffalo, NY is officially the Dyngus Day capitol of America, hosting the largest concentration of festival locations, polka bands and Polish traditions in the nation. Smaller festivals can be found in communities with sizable Polish American populations such as: South Bend, IN, Elizabeth, NJ and Bristol, CT. This year, with the marketing support of Dyngus Day USA, Chicago, IL., Cleveland, OH. and Pittsburgh, PA. will all see significant growth in the number of people and places celebrating this quirky event. Ironically, it’s not widely observed in Poland. But we’re working on it. www.dyngusday.com/#!our-story/cjg9 CREDITS: Filmed and edited by Dan Oshier Edited Software: GoPro Studio v2.5 on Mac Camera: GoPro Hero 4 Black Film Format: Outdoors: 4K 60fps Protune. Inside: Night Mode/ Low light-Flat 1080p, 30fps. MUSIC: "IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP NOW - ENJOY HAPPY MORNING WITH POLKA MUSIC" Music: by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Contact me with business inquiries: Dan Oshier Productions dan.oshier@hotmail.com (716) 553-7599