If you had any doubts that Buffalo's Dyngus Day celebration is the biggest in the country, one look at the crowd at the city's old Central Terminal will convince you: Dyngus Day is a pretty big deal around here.
"This is awesome," said Lisa Chiandra, one of an estimated 5,000 who attended the Central Terminal Party. "It's the first time I've done the Polish thing. I'm not Polish."
That's okay. On Dyngus Day, everyone is polish.
This year's celebration is the biggest ever. It's been three years since the various venues organized to promote the event as one big party. More than two dozen bars and establishments hosted events this year.
"They keep growing," said organizer Eddy Dobosiewicz. "The parade and this event just keeps growing and growing. Just when we thought it couldn't get any bigger, it grows."
The parade turned out to be the highlight of the day with more than 100 organizations taking part in the two-mile long route from the Broadway Market, through the east side, an area that's been dubbed the Historic Polonia District, and ending at the terminal.
"This is fun, frolic, we're having a great time," said Mike Piwo, who grew up in the area. "Getting back to the old neighborhoods in Buffalo. The east side is where it's at."
Dyngus Day celebrates Easter Monday and the end of the lenten season. It has routes dating back to the 15th century in Poland.
