This weekend offers plenty of entertainment – and it’s all for free

By Charles Sercombe

Get on your dancing shoes because this year’s festival will be swinging and rocking, Motown style.

The Contours (featuring Sylvester Potts) and the Miracles (tribute band) will be representing the golden era of Motown records. The Contours will shake’em on down on Monday at 5:30 p.m.

The Miracles will hit the stage on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Although not a Motown artist, Detroit soul legend Melvin Davis will be here and performing on Sunday at 8 p.m. (on the north stage). This is a rare treat so be sure not to miss this one!

Another highlight this weekend is the one and only ? & the Mysterians of “96 Tears” fame. The band plays on Monday at 8:30 p.m. (on the south stage).

The weekend also offers a wide-range of talent, from garage rock, to polkas to the blues. And speaking of the blues, Monday evening, at the north stage, is dedicated to a massive blues jam featuring some of the Who’s Who of Detroit musicians.

As usual, Sunday’s entertainment kicks off with an 11 a.m. Polka Mass (on the south stage). At 1:30 p.m., be sure to bring your appetite because it’s time once again for Dudek’s Pierogi Eating Contest.

The weekend wouldn’t be complete without Hamtramck’s favorite sons and daughters performing. Yes, the Polish Muslims will bash out their music parodies on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. (on the south stage).

In other developments, thanks to the growing popularity of the festival, the actual festival area has expanded to Carpenter St. Inside the festival you’ll find the usual carnival games and rides, vendors of all sorts and plenty of grilled food and Polish delights.

A new feature this year is an “Artist Alley,” featuring the works of dozens of local artists.

The media will once again be all over this weekend. WXYZ Channel 7 will be broadcasting live remotes on the festival grounds as will WDIV Channel 4 and Fox 2.

Radio station 93.1 FM will be airing from here on Saturday, 2-5 p.m.

Like Polish beer? You’re in luck then, because one of the featured beers will be Tyskie, which is one of the oldest brewed beers made in Poland. Beer prices went up a little this year with a cup now going for $4.

Anyone remember Genie’s Wienies? Well, they’re back. Family members will be grilling up “flashback” burgers all weekend long.

Out on the street, there will be a performance from the Detroit Fire Guild.