In the case of the Annual Dyngus Day Parade, here in Buffalo’s Historic Polonia District, it’s more of a demonstration in civic and ethnic pride. Unlike any other event in recent memory, this parade gathers people together with a sense of camaraderie and joy mixed with nostalgia and hope. An acknowledgement of who they are, where they came from and where they want to go. What started out as a rag tag group of passionate Poles with a few flags, a couple of pickup trucks and a band on a trailer, has turned into a big splash of Polish pride surfing a sea of red and white. Floats resembling medieval ships, fire trucks with sirens blazing and hoses squirting, polka bands blaring and families sharing memories and laughter as they stroll through the neighborhood tossing candy and beads to the little urchins gathered on the curbs. Who doesn’t like a parade? Not anyone that has ever been to the Dyngus Day Parade in Buffalo NY, that’s for sure.

Although technically the parade starts in front of Corpus Christi Church the best places to grab a perch are on the big streets as the cavalcade gathers steam heading down Broadway to Fillmore as it winds its way down Memorial Drive.

Here are a few places to get a great view of all the action:

Who Doesn't Like A Parade?

Pussywillow Park Party Tent 

ON MEMORIAL DRIVE

The Broadway Market

ON BROADWAY

ON PECKHAM

St. Stanislaus Social Center

THE 14TH ANNUAL DYNGUS DAY PARADE STARTS AT 5:00PM 

2020 Parade Application

The deadline for parade entries is 5:00PM on March 30, 2020.

Completed applications or people interested in volunteering are to contact our parade coordinator

Parade Details

The parade will begin at 5:00 PM on Monday, April 13th, 2020. Check-in at the intersection of

Memorial Drive & Paderewski Drive @ Sweet Avenue(Please look for our sign.  

Only vehicles participating in the parade will be allowed beyond check-in point).

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM and ends at 4:00PM.

Portions of Paderewski, Clark, Sears and Playter will be blocked off for ALL general traffic beginning at 12:00 PM.
(Please view Shuttle Maps for parking and alternate routes).

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Please note that the parade route has changed and will now head southwest on Memorial Dr. toward Fillmore 

(see map) 

Parade Float Awards

Consider the task at hand for the parade judges this year as they decide who will win the commemorative plaques awarded in the following categories:

Dyngus Day Capital of the World Award

TO BE AWARDED TO A FLOAT OR PARTICIPATING GROUP THAT BEST VISUALLY

DEPICTS BUFFALO'S UNIQUE DISTINCTION AS "DYNGUS DAY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD"

Best Use of Red & White

TO BE AWARDED TO THE FLOAT OR PARTICIPATING GROUP THAT MOST EFFECTIVELY

USES THE COLORS OF POLONIA TO DECORATE A FLOAT, VEHICLE OR COSTUME.

Best Use of Pussywillows

Best Musical Performance

WILL CHALLENGE PARTICIPANTS TO MAKE A FLOAT OR A COSTUME OUT OF

PUSSYWILLOWS OR TO USE THE MOST PUSSYWILLOWS IN THEIR PARADE ENTRY.

AWARDED TO THE MOST ANIMATED, COLORFUL AND UNIQUE MUSICAL PARADE

PERFORMANCE. FROM POLKA BANDS TO KAZOO CHOIRS, ALL ARE ELIGIBLE.

Best Family Float or Group

Russ Pawlak Award

A GREAT WAY TO GET GRANDMA IN THE PARADE!

THE DYNGUS DAY PARADE ENCOURAGES FAMILIES TO MARCH AS A GROUP

OR TO PARTICIPATE WITH A FAMILY FLOAT. THE AWARD WILL GO TO THE FAMILY

THAT BEST DEMONSTRATES THEIR COLLECTIVE POLISH PRIDE.

PRESENTED TO THE FLOAT OR GROUP DEMONSTRATING THE MOST PASSION

FOR THE FUTURE WHILE RESPECTING THE PAST IN THEIR THEME OR DECORATION.