The Maroszek Brothers have played for their fans, their music and the town they call home at the Pulaski Polka Days every year since 1979.
This year, the festival is showing the band some love as the polka-playing brothers are honored as parade grand marshals.
“This is our hometown, so for us it’s kind of like a family event,” Gene Maroszek said.
The Maroszek Brothers band includes four brothers — Gene, Al, Frank and Scott — their nephew Bruce Brzeczkowski and family friend John Wudtke.
Gene, the oldest brother, began playing polka in 1972, and his brothers quickly followed. Their first performance at Polka Days came in 1979, and event chairman and organizer Harold Otto said they were all just kids at the time.
“They have been with us a long time,” Otto said. “They are local, they have got a good following and a lot of people like them, so I thought, hey, I think we should return the favor.”
Gene said Polka Days is a great event for the community, and the work of the local clubs and organizations makes it an event visitors young and old can enjoy.
“It’s well known around the nation,” Gene Maroszek said. “A lot of out-of-town bands come to this. It’s one of the best festivals in the United States.”
Scott, the youngest of the four brothers, said the people are what make Polka Days so successful.
“Just having people from all over is great,” Scott Maroszek said. “It’s unreal. People really seem to enjoy it.”
After performing all these years, the Maroszek Brothers’ love for polka has trickled down to their children, some of whom will perform at this year’s festival.
Gene’s sons, Joe and Jeff Maroszek, 33 and 32, respectively, are members of New Generation. Scott’s sons, Carter and Sam Maroszek, 14 and 16, respectively, and Al’s sons, Taylor and Alex Maroszek, 20 and 23, respectively, are members of the TNT Band.
Scott said it is great to see his sons and nephews enjoy playing polka music.
“It’s nice for them to keep (polka) going, because not a lot of young kids play polka anymore,” Scott Maroszek said.
In addition to their regular performances, the Maroszek Brothers will play the polka Masses at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 19, and 9:30 a.m. Sunday, July 20.
Gene Maroszek said they are looking forward to their role as grand marshals and performing at Polka Days once again.
“We think it is just a great honor,” he said.
Also being honored during the parade are Harry Slezewski and Ralph Bluma, both of Pulaski, as honoree grand marshals. Slezewski is a member of the Knights of Columbus, and Bluma is a member of the American Legion.
Wayne Wood, organizer of the Polka Days parade, said Slezewski and Bluma’s contributions to Polka Days have meant a lot to the festival.
“Both of them dedicated quite a few years to Polka Days,” Wood said. “They were both instrumental to helping us get it started.”
The Polka Days parade begins at 11 a.m. Sunday, July 20, traveling from downtown Pulaski to the Polka Days grounds.
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