WEEKENDER I SPECIAL EVENTS

Oak Shade Grove hosts Polish Summer Picnic

6/13/2018
BLADE STAFF
  • placzeks08-9

    Darlene Never, left, and Jean Rybka of the Toledo Area Polka Society bag freshly made placzeks for the Polish Summer Picnic last year. This year's event takes place this weekend at Oak Shade Grove Pavilion in Oregon.

    The Blade
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  • The fourth annual Polish Summer Picnic promises polka bands and a pierogi-eating contest, among other ethnic attractions, on Friday and Saturday at Oak Shade Grove Pavilion in Oregon. The Toledo Area Polka Society puts on the event.

    Featured bands include John Stevens’ Doubleshot of Pennsylvania on Friday, and Buffalo Concertina All Stars of New York and Michael Costa and the Beat of New Jersey on Saturday. Polish genealogy searches and children’s activities round out the festivities on Saturday.

    Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 65 and older, and free for children younger than 16. Hours are 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday. The venue is at 3624 Seaman Rd., Oregon. For more information, call 419-420-5235 or go to tapspolkas.com.

    ■ The Holland Strawberry Festival returns with the taste of summer this weekend. Festivities run through Sunday at Community Homecoming Park, 7807 Angola Rd., Holland.

    Festival-goers can expect rides, games, crafts, and strawberry-themed treats throughout the weekend. Toddler and king and queen pageants are slated for Thursday; a first-time car, truck, and bike show for Saturday, and a 1 p.m. parade and 4 p.m. strawberry bake-off for Sunday.

    Admission is $3 or free for children 7 and younger. Festival hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. For a full festival lineup or more information, go to holland-strawberryfestival.com.

    ■ It’s time for the Nerdy Derby at Imagination Station. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, young engineers-in-training are invited to design a car with supplies provided by the science center. Then they race those cars down a winding 40-foot track, angling for the honors bestowed on the fastest and slowest vehicles.

    Families who partake in the derby on Sunday can break for a Father’s Day barbecue buffet between noon and 3 p.m. The buffet is $16.99, not including tax.

    Imagination Station is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors 65 and older, and $10 for children ages 2 to 10. For more information, go to imaginationstationtoledo.org.

    ■ Disco Inferno takes the stage at the 23rd annual Summer Disco Party at Centennial Terrace on Friday. DJ Jason Kelley will also provide live music in keeping with the theme.

    The party runs 8 p.m. to midnight, with doors opening at 7 p.m. Centennial Terrace is at 5773 Centennial Rd., Sylvania. Attendees must be 21 or older. Admission is $30. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to centennialterrace.org/summer-disco-party.