Dyngus Day revelers dance to live polka music during the annual festival in Gordon Square on Monday, April 6, 2026. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
Brock Sako came to Cleveland Dyngus Day this year wearing two trophies on a chain around his neck. He’s the back-to-back champion of the annual festival’s pierogi-eating contest.
After this year’s contest, he can add a third trophy to his necklace. He won again.
This year marks Dyngus Day’s 16th festival in Cleveland. The holiday comes from Poland, but it has gained popularity in the United States in cities with high populations of ethnically Polish people – like Cleveland.
Scroll down to look through Signal Cleveland’s photos from this year’s Dyngus Day festival.
The Kishkas play live polka music. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
Dyngus Day revelers shoot squirt guns. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
Eli Haswalczyk and his daughter Miera pose for a picture. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
Marlene Thompson, named “Miss Dyngus” in 2018, wears a pierogi costume. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
Brock Sako, the reigning champion of the Dyngus Day pierogi-eating contest, wears his trophies on a chain around his neck. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
A Dyngus Day reveler wears a plush pierogi on his jacket. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
Brock Sako, the reigning champion of the Dyngus Day pierogi-eating contest, dons a boxing-style robe ahead of this year’s contest. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight LocalA contestant in the Dyngus Day pierogi-eating contest holds out his tray. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight LocalBrock Sako, the reigning champion of the Dyngus Day pierogi-eating contest, celebrates another win at this year’s contest. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
Dyngus Day revelers dance to live polka music. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight LocalA Dyngus Day reveler shows his custom jersey referencing the famous song Ei Ei Ei O Polka by Frankie Yankovic. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
Gary “Dr. Polka” Rozak, the host of a polka radio show, poses for a portrait. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
DJ Kishka on stage. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
DJ Kishka and “Pudge,” two members of The Kishkas, on stage between sets. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight LocalEmpty beer cans pile up on the ground amid revelers. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight LocalAl and Colin Pawlowski pull their beers out their coozies. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight LocalPussywillow branches for sale. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight LocalMembers of the Cleveland Polka Association prepare to hand out crochet pierogies. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight LocalA vendor prepares a funnel cake. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
Cleveland Police officers carry kielbasa. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
Chefs from the Cleveland Vegan prepare vegan kielbasa. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
Dyngus Day revelers pose for a picture. Credit: Michael Indriolo/Signal Cleveland/CatchLight Local
Visual Journalist (he/him)
As Signal Cleveland’s visual journalist, I use photography and video to show the people and places that make up Cleveland’s character. My role is supported by CatchLight and Report for America.
