Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 7/31/2015
CHICOPEE – The Kielbasa Festival will be leaving Chicopee for the Eastern States Exposition grounds.
The festival’s organizer, Thomas Kielbania, told Reminder Publications on July 28 he had just contracted with the Big E management to have the event, now renamed “The International Festival,” to take place May 26 through 30, 2016.
He explained the Szot Park location for the Kielbasa festival lacked one important element: adequate parking.
He said of the event, “It’s a hugie, it’s a big one.”
Kielbania said he is reaching out to the region’s ethnic communities to participate in the event.
“I need everyone from every group … to call me to get involved,” he said.
He plans to use three buildings, including the coliseum, a program of international music, food and vendors. The festival will also feature fireworks, a carnival and helicopter rides.
He said the Coliseum would be his major music venue with “high end vending” including wines and cheeses featured in the Stroh’s Building while the “international tour of desserts” will be in the Young Building.
He plans to have 15 music stages and said he is negotiating with several “major acts” at this time.
He said admission to the festival would only be $5 for people who save their ticket to the Big E this fall. There will be other admission discounts, he added.
He hopes that other ethnic festival would consider joining him and becoming part of his event.
He believes this event will be a compliment to the Big E.
Kielbania said, “The Kielbasa Festival is on; it’s just at the Big E.”