International Polka Fest

The International Polka Fest, scheduled for June 19-21, has been moved from the Ironworld Discovery Center in Chisholm to the Lost Isle Ballroom in Carlton, Minn.

In 1978, the Chmielewski Funtime Band started the first festival in Pine City at the Pine County Fairgrounds. A succession of venues included the Metropolitan Sports Center in Bloomington, Quadna Mountain in Grand Rapids, Ironworld USA in Chisholm, Grandma’s in Duluth, and for the last 20 years — back to Ironworld.

The new venue at the Lost Isle Ballroom is located in the heart of tourism country with the Black Bear Casino a half-mile away. Add to that beautiful Lake Superior, Jay Cooke Park in Carlton, and the Harrington Museum containing 1,900 concertinas and accordions 25 miles away in Superior.

The Lost Isle has a large parking lot and dance floor. The festival coincides with Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, which draws 40,000 people to the area, so it is advised that rooms be booked early.

The bands will be The Wendingers Bros. and Leon Olson Show from New Ulm; the Dennis Ficor Band from Regina, Saskatchewan; Dr. Kielbasa from the Twin Cities; Jolly Zuke from Minneapolis; Jeff Walker and Frank Baroka from Butternut, Wis.; Jon Sniderich, Art Lehtonen and Ron Setniker from the Iron Range; and the Beaconaires from Duluth.

Additional bands are Country Junction from Cloquet; Jerry’s Concertina Band; Lorren Lindevig; the May Prachar Family Band from Esko; Hank Thunander of St. Paul; Gene’s Bohemians from Oregon; the Chmielewski Funtime Band; and more. There will be dance contests and a jam session.