IPA Polka Music Hall of Fame and Music Awards Banquet Tickets are Now Available

Saturday, August 31st 10:45 AM Arrival & Seating11:00 AM Luncheon Tickets are $50 per person and can be reserved only by advance reservation. Reservations must be made before August 16th, 2024. Tickets can be purchased: For check payment, please fill out below reservation form and mail to: Polka Music Hall of Fame and Awards BanquetPO Box 1484Plainfield, IL 60544 Please contact Banquet Chairperson Lindsey Mateja at banquet@ipapolkas.com with any questions. Ticket confirmation and seating arrangements will be…

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Parade of Polka Bands Picnic – Sunday, August 6th, 2023

Make your plans now to attend the Parade of Polka Bands Picnic on Sunday, August 6th, 2023 at the great Hammond Mohawks Picnic Grove – 4040 Calumet Ave., Hammond, IN. Doors will open at 12:30pm and dancing is from 1pm until 6pm. Admission is only $15 and features five great bands including Tony Blazonczyk’s New Phaze, IPA Tribute Band, Polka Mojo, Polka Generations and DynaVersaStickToneAires.

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2023 Joe Jozwiak Award Winner: EDWARD “GUS” KOSIOR

Edward “Gus” Kosior was born and brought up in the Village of Florida, N.Y, right down the street from Jimmy Sturr. He grew up listening to Polka Music on the local radio station and at his high school dances. He and Jimmy went to school together at their local High School. When Jimmy thought of starting UNITED POLKA ARTISTS, he thought of Gus coming in as a partner. It happened back in 1969. Since that…

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The passing of Chester Pala

With great sadness in our hearts, we inform you of the passing of Chester Pala of the Pala Brothers Orchestra. Chester, along with his brothers Wally and Al, formed their polka band in the 60s playing banquet halls, clubs and taverns throughout the Chicagoland area, Northwest Indiana, and across the country.   Their upbeat “Chicago style” of polkas has lasted through many generations and continues to be performed and re-recorded by many of our current polka…

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Annual International Polka Association Festival & Convention

Make your plans now to attend the 55th Annual IPA Festival and Convention September 1 – September 3, 2023 Labor Day Weekend DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh-Cranberry DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh – Cranberry 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars, PA 16046 For Hotel Reservations: Our primary hotel is sold out. We have made the following list available of local hotels in the area. The IPA HAS NOT secured any special rates at these hotels. 3 Fun-filled…

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Passing of IPA Hall of Famer and Trustee Freddy Bulinski

It’s with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Fred Bulinski. Fred was inducted into the IPA Hall of Fame in 1992, he served on the IPA Board for several years as a director, was appointed the Chairman of the International Polka Association Hall of Fame in 2014 and held that title until October of 2020 and has been a Trustee since 2013. He was a polka musician, bandleader, songwriter and fantastic…

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Passing of past IPA director Eugene Thoms

With great sadness, we inform you of the passing of Eugene Thoms, a past director of the IPA. Eugene Walter Thoms September 14, 1938 – December 5, 2022 If you knew Gene, you were better for it and perhaps bemused for it. Gene could read, write, and speak tirelessly on his five favorite topics: food, railroads, polkas, geography, and ethnicities. Spend enough time with him, and you were bound to learn something about cuttlefish, steam…

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The Passing of IPA Hall of Famer Hank Haller

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of 2003 IPA Hall of Fame Inductee, Hank Haller. Our deepest condolences and sympathies to the Haller family and all of Hank’s Friends and Fans. Everyone remembers Hank Haller for his oom-pah music and lederhosen. But Hank was a lot more. He was a prolific recording artist in the polka field with 100 albums to his credit, with an estimated quarter of a…

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IPA Wisconsin Festival of Bands Weekend

The IPA is excited to have the Wisconsin Festival of Bands Weekend. Located at: Townline Pub and Grill 2544 Lineville Road Suamico, WI 54313 Saturday, May 6, 2023 6 pm-10 pm 2014 IPA Hall of Fame Inductee Eddie Biegaj and Crusade Sunday May 7, 2023 – 12 pm – 5 pm 12:00-12:50 The Maroszek Brothers 1:00-1:50 The Nu Tymes 2:00-2:50 Aaron Socha & LiveWire 3:00-3:50 The Mix 4:00-5:00 The New Generation Hotels for the Weekend…

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