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FRONTENAC —
For some people, the 22nd annual Polka Fest at Big Brutus Saturday night was a reunion with old friends. For others, it was a fun night out with their significant others or a first-time visit to the festival.
One thing’s for sure, though; everyone who ate the Polish and Italian sausages and danced to the Slovenian polka of The Johnnie Zibert Band had a good time.
Norvella Boccia and her husband, Carmen, have been attending the festival every year since it began in 1990.
“The first day we held this, there were cars lined up all the way to West Mineral,” Norvella said, adding that the festival is one of the few times all of her friends are able to get together. “All the schools are closed down now and it keeps things going.”
And getting together at a Polka Dance is good exercise, Norvella said.
“It helps keep us going,” she said.
This year, she and Carmen invited their friend, Harry Beerly, who lives in Golden City, Mo., to come along. Beerly said he’s a fan of polka music and that he was having a good time.
“It’s pretty amazing, Ol’ Brutus and the dance,” Beerly said. “Everybody’s enjoying the dancing and the music, and I’ve got a lot of old friends here. It’s a friendly atmosphere.”
For some people, the festival was a first-time experience. Joplin resident Beverly Hill met her boyfriend, Arma resident Don Fleury a year ago at an Olive Garden restaurant. She said Don took her to Pittsburg’s Little Balkans Days festival, and that they’re going to celebrate their one-year anniversary by doing it all over again.
“We’re still going strong,” Hill said.
Hill said Don taught her how to polka, and that she was enjoying dancing with him.
“I don’t dance with anyone else,” she said with a smile, showing off the diamond ring Don gave her. “We’re committed.”
For Galena resident Brian Lorimer and wife, Jamie, and son, Chandler, the festival was a random, but welcome occurrence.
“We were at Big Brutus earlier today, and we saw it was happening and said ‘Why not?’” Lorimer said. “It’s pretty fun.”
And of course Johnnie Joe Zibert and his dad, Johnnie, enjoy playing for an appreciative audience. For decades Johnnie Joe played with polka band based in Tulsa, Okla., but he moved back four years ago to help his dad. Naturally, he said, they started playing gigs together full-time.
They play at Barto’s Idle Hour in Frontenac as well as gigs in the Ozarks and at festivals like the one Saturday night.
“It’s pretty hard to beat when you get to play along with your dad,” Zibert said.
There was some rain, but the pavilion kept people dry and the festival going strong.
“Tonight was a great night for it,” said Big Brutus museum manager Betty Becker, who was serving up sausages and desserts. “We’ve had a bit of rain, but that’s OK.”
For some people, the 22nd annual Polka Fest at Big Brutus Saturday night was a reunion with old friends. For others, it was a fun night out with their significant others or a first-time visit to the festival.
One thing’s for sure, though; everyone who ate the Polish and Italian sausages and danced to the Slovenian polka of The Johnnie Zibert Band had a good time.
Norvella Boccia and her husband, Carmen, have been attending the festival every year since it began in 1990.
“The first day we held this, there were cars lined up all the way to West Mineral,” Norvella said, adding that the festival is one of the few times all of her friends are able to get together. “All the schools are closed down now and it keeps things going.”
And getting together at a Polka Dance is good exercise, Norvella said.
“It helps keep us going,” she said.
This year, she and Carmen invited their friend, Harry Beerly, who lives in Golden City, Mo., to come along. Beerly said he’s a fan of polka music and that he was having a good time.
“It’s pretty amazing, Ol’ Brutus and the dance,” Beerly said. “Everybody’s enjoying the dancing and the music, and I’ve got a lot of old friends here. It’s a friendly atmosphere.”
For some people, the festival was a first-time experience. Joplin resident Beverly Hill met her boyfriend, Arma resident Don Fleury a year ago at an Olive Garden restaurant. She said Don took her to Pittsburg’s Little Balkans Days festival, and that they’re going to celebrate their one-year anniversary by doing it all over again.
“We’re still going strong,” Hill said.
Hill said Don taught her how to polka, and that she was enjoying dancing with him.
“I don’t dance with anyone else,” she said with a smile, showing off the diamond ring Don gave her. “We’re committed.”
For Galena resident Brian Lorimer and wife, Jamie, and son, Chandler, the festival was a random, but welcome occurrence.
“We were at Big Brutus earlier today, and we saw it was happening and said ‘Why not?’” Lorimer said. “It’s pretty fun.”
And of course Johnnie Joe Zibert and his dad, Johnnie, enjoy playing for an appreciative audience. For decades Johnnie Joe played with polka band based in Tulsa, Okla., but he moved back four years ago to help his dad. Naturally, he said, they started playing gigs together full-time.
They play at Barto’s Idle Hour in Frontenac as well as gigs in the Ozarks and at festivals like the one Saturday night.
“It’s pretty hard to beat when you get to play along with your dad,” Zibert said.
There was some rain, but the pavilion kept people dry and the festival going strong.
“Tonight was a great night for it,” said Big Brutus museum manager Betty Becker, who was serving up sausages and desserts. “We’ve had a bit of rain, but that’s OK.”
