PLYMOUTH — It’s that time of the year again — Plymouth Alive’s 21st Kielbasa Festival gets underway at 11 a.m. Friday, and Main Street will be packed with 108 vendors and thousands of people.
The two-day festival runs through Saturday in downtown Plymouth. If you don’t know how to get there, just follow the aroma of garlic.
If you like Polish cuisine, the Kielbasa Festival will have plenty of the legendary Polish sausage — smoked and fresh varieties — in addition to potato pancakes, pierogi, halushki and piggies.
There will be all sorts of other food up and down Main Street for people to enjoy — cheesesteaks, strombolis, pizza, sausage sandwiches, ice cream and much more.
And don’t forget the funnel cakes!
Plymouth Mayor Frank Coughlin said the festival will bring people back to the town to enjoy the food, the music and the fun.
“Almost every storefront along Plymouth’s Main Street is filled with viable, successful businesses that visitors will see and patronize during the Kielbasa Festival and beyond,” he said. “To me, the Kielbasa Festival is when old friends come home — friends who haven’t seen each other in years and they share stories and enjoy good food and music.”
The mayor said the festival puts Plymouth in the spotlight.
“To me, it’s comparable to a family reunion — they come back to Plymouth and share stories with families and friends. Plymouth will be in the spotlight and hopefully the festival will attract some new businesses to the town.”
Coughlin has been the town’s mayor since October 2019. Before that, he served on borough council starting in 1996.
“The weather will be perfect too,” the mayor said, saying he appointed himself as chair of the Weather Committee — “only if it’s nice weather.”
“It will be a good time for all who attend,” he promised.
Alexis Eroh, President of Plymouth Alive, said the Plymouth Alive “Kielbasa Posse” was busy this week preparing to make the 21st Kielbasa Festival a success.
“Each month, the 25-plus members of the Plymouth Alive crew meet to plan each year’s event,” Eroh said. “From the excellent live entertainment, to the parade, to the infamous Kielbasa Competition, so much thought and consideration is given to making the event a success. Plymouth residents plan their summers around the festival, bringing in families from all over the nation to attend this tradition that is truly like nothing else.”
Eroh said there will be a record 108 vendors at this year’s festival, in addition to exciting live bands and family-friendly entertainment.
“The WVW Kids Zone will once again feature a balloon artist, magician and DJ in addition to the Plymouth Rotary’s Foam Party at noon on Saturday, Aug. 9.”
Eroh said the money raised by the Kielbasa Festival allows Plymouth Alive to sponsor the youth sports organizations — Plymouth Youth Soccer Coal Kickers, West Side Little League Baseball and the Wyoming Valley Jr. Spartans Youth Football and Cheer League.
Additionally, she said Plymouth Alive provides the funding for the Plymouth Library Summer Program for the youth of the community. Last year Plymouth Alive hosted two holiday events, the Shawnee Spooktacular Halloween Festival and the Jingle Mingle Christmas Event.
The local businesses also look forward to the Kielbasa Festival each year, as thousands of attendees are brought to Main Street Plymouth to see what is offered. Eroh said local restaurants and taverns profit from the influx of thousands of visitors.
The Kielbasa Festival Parade steps off at 11 a.m. on Saturday and the Kielbasa Competition begins at 2 p.m. at the Plymouth American Legion Post 463 on Center Avenue, featuring the Polka Bandski.
Eroh said the festival efforts expand past the committee’s 25-plus members and into the borough with all of Council, Mayor Frank Coughlin, the Police Department, the Department of Public Works and all three fire companies providing invaluable support in the lead-up to the festival.
“It will be a safe event with the full Police Department scheduled for the weekend,” Eroh said. “We cannot thank them enough for keeping the event and parade secure.”
Mr. & Mrs. Kielbasa will celebrate their 2nd anniversary at the festival and get pictures taken with attendees.
As always, Eroh said the Plymouth Alive crew will be located by the bandshell in the center of town selling raffle tickets and T-Shirts to raise money for local causes.
“Stop by and say hello to us,” Eroh said. “We hope that everyone is able to enjoy the food and festivities with their friends and families. Plymouth Alive is ready to welcome kielbasa lovers to town. This will be a festival to remember.”