BRONSON, MI — Look back almost 150 years in this area, and you’ll find many local surnames ending in -ski, -cki, -wicz, or -zak, which are common Polish family names that make the area’s Polish heritage especially visible.
This week, Bronson celebrates its Heritage with the 56th annual Polish Festival, beginning Thursday, July 16 for three days of Kielbasa and polkas.
Branch County Clerk Terry Kubasiak, one of eight members of the organizing committee, said, “Bronson years back was primarily Polish families, and they wanted to celebrate their heritage.”
Back in the late 1960s, her late husband’s family and others wanted to celebrate their heritage and began the annual event.
“It kind of went on from there, and so we still celebrate it every year,” Kubasiak said. Families who left the area come back for many community events as a homecoming and family reunions.
The Main Events
Thursday, July 16
6:30 p.m., opening ceremonies and kick-off are at St. Mary’s Church gym, where the King, Queen, Prince, Princess, Junior Prince, and Junior Princess are crowned to rule over the three days.
Friday, July 17
Saturday, July 18
Polish Food
Food is always a big part of the festival, with Polish foods served everywhere.
Daily
Polish food at multiple locations, Strike Zone, Knights of Columbus, Smitty’s Pizza, CC’s Diner, Tasteful Kreations, and Bronson Nutrition from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Kiwanis pancake breakfast – Bronson Fire Station, from 6 to 11 a.m.; Polish food at festival locations from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Craft and food vendors downtown from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday
Turkey & Polish Sausage Dinner – First Congregational Church, 5 to 7 p.m.
Saturday
Knights of Columbus ox roast 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kubasiack grew up in Coldwater, not Bronson. “I was actually more Polish than my husband was. My grandmother, we always had Sunday dinner, and it was always Polish food,” Kubasiak said.
Sporting Competitions
Friday – July 17, 2026
Saturday – July 18, 2026
The Polish Fest is funded by event proceeds and by the many sponsors who support the committee and the event.
Contact Don Reid, dReid@USATodayCo.Com
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: Bronson kicks off 56th annual Polish Festival
Reporting by Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter / Coldwater Daily Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Don Reid, Coldwater Daily Reporter | USA TODAY Network
