Dyngus Day, or “Smigus Dyngus” in Polish, is a traditional spring celebration in Poland. This century, it has gained popularity in the United States in cities with high populations of ethnically Polish people – like Cleveland.  

Now in its 16th year here and more popular than ever, Cleveland’s official Dyngus Day event kicks off at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 6, in the streets of the Gordon Square Arts District. 

Know before you go

Every Monday after the Easter holiday, Polish Catholics celebrate Dyngus Day as an observation of the end of Lent. Over centuries, Dyngus Day celebrations have evolved. Once celebrated with traditions common to ancient pagan religions, the holiday later became more associated with early Catholicism. Now, in America, there are giant parties celebrating it similar to St. Patrick’s Day or Fat Tuesday. 

With the help of Dyngus Day Cleveland’s host, DJ Kishka, we’ve assembled some more fun facts you’ll want to know about Dyngus Day before heading out to celebrate. 

Bring a squirt gun

Dyngus Day is also known as “Wet Monday.” The pouring of water as an act symbolizing spring is an ancient pagan ritual that evolved into a Dyngus Day tradition of men pouring water on women as a symbol of attraction and fertility. In modern celebrations, men and women fight the war of water equally, most often with squirt guns. 

Dyngus Day Cleveland recommends everyone bring squirt guns. “We have squirt guns all over the place,” said Kishka. “I get squirted all day with squirt guns and water.” 

“Some people like to squirt guns with vodka, too,” he adds. “Every once in a while, I’ll get sprayed, and be like, ‘Oh geez, that burns,’ you know? It’s all in good fun.” 

You want me to do what now?!😮 

Dyngus Day also upholds an ancient tradition of boys hitting girls they like with pussywillow sticks, though in modern celebrations, all genders strike their targets. Why pussywillow? It’s one of the first plants to bud in spring.

“The kids would break off pussywillow branches and hit girls on the ankles with them. That was their way to let the girls know that they were interested in them and have fun … kind of have that flirting thing.”

Dyngus Day Cleveland encourages attendees to bring pussywillow sticks to the event. But try to just tap others on the ankles so no one pokes an eye out.

The ladies get their revenge

No worries, ladies, there has always been a comeback. In the Polish tradition of Dyngus Day, on the Tuesday after, women get their revenge on the men by throwing kitchen plates at them. Set your clocks … we ride at dawn. 

Wear red and white 

The national colors of Poland are red and white, and you may look out of place at a Dyngus Day celebration in anything else. Kishka said many women will also craft and wear a ring of flowers on their heads symbolizing the return of spring. Vendors with everything from Dyngus Day T-shirts to more traditional items will be on hand to sell to participants who are short on party supplies. 

Dyngus Day is still a religious holiday

For Polish Catholics, Dyngus Day also celebrates the arrival of Catholicism in Poland and often starts with a Mass. Cleveland’s Dyngus Day celebration begins with a Mass at St. Stanislaus Church at 3649 E. 65th St. starting at 10 a.m. 

Know your four P’s: pierogis, polka, packzi and piwo

“Polka” is the traditional dance and party music of Poland – Polish Clevelanders of the WWII generation popularized the music here. Cleveland is also the home of the “American Polka King,” Frank Yankovic, now buried at Cleveland’s Calvary Cemetery. 

Several polka bands will perform over two stages at Dyngus Day Cleveland, including DJ Kishka. Here’s a special invite from Kishka and a sample of what’s to come: 

If you’re new to Cleveland, consider it a rite of passage as a Clevelander to eat a pierogi [peer-OH-gee], the Polish version of a dumpling. They’re most often filled with vegetables like potatoes, spinach, mushrooms or onions, sometimes with cheese. Many native Clevelanders of all ethnic backgrounds grew up on pierogies as simply a Cleveland tradition. 

“Packzi”, [POOSH-key] is a Polish version of the doughnut, most often with a cream or jelly filling. Brewnuts, the donut shop on the corner of West 65th Street and Detroit Avenue in Gordon Square, directly within the Dyngus Day celebration spot, opens at 8 a.m. on Dyngus Day and of course will be serving all varieties of paczki.     

“Piwo” [PEE-voh] is Polish beer. You’ll find empty stacks of cans proudly displayed on tables. Vendors will sell several types of Polish beer, as will some bars in Gordon Square. 

Special events at Cleveland’s Dyngus Day celebration 

Cleveland’s Dyngus Day celebration this year will feature an actual Polish wedding at 1:15 p.m. on the Street Stage in the Gordon Square celebration area. There’s also a pierogi-eating contest and a grueling competition for the title of Miss Dyngus Day.

Kishka said contestants for the Miss Dyngus Day pageant are subjected to a babushka-wearing contest, asked about Polish history, and have to fill in the lyrics to polka songs. 

“At the end, we crown the new Miss Dyngus Day,” Kishka explained. “She puts the ceremonial pierogi on the Dyngus Day float, and she gets – we have a little throne that we wheel her around in that festival area, and people get to take pictures … it’s just a good time.” 

Large crowds aren’t really my thing, where else can I go to celebrate? 

Nearly 45,000 people are expected to attend Dyngus Day events around Cleveland on Monday. Most of those events will be at the main celebration at Gordon Square. Bars around Greater Cleveland are hosting smaller Dyngus Day events, many featuring Polish food specials and starting early in the day, like Forest City Brewery in Tremont, Great Lakes Brewing Company in Ohio City, Knucklehead’s Bar and Grill in Parma, and the Inn Between Bar & Grill in North Royalton.