The first Polish parades in Detroit date back to the 1930s. Initially associated with the celebration of May 3rd Constitution Day, they were held on Belle Isle. Later, they moved to downtown Detroit, where the parades were held as part of Pulaski Day. In this way, the Polish diaspora paid tribute to General Pulaski, a hero of the struggle for American and Polish independence.
In 1977, the Parade found its new home – Joseph Campau Street in Hamtramck. Since then, every Labor Day, the city has transformed into a living panorama of Polishness: from hussar armor to Łowicz costumes, from patriotic songs to the aroma of pierogi and kielbasa.
I remember many of these parades in Hamtramck, remembering how hundreds of participants gathered to celebrate Polishness on Labor Day. Dance groups, scouts, representatives of Polish institutions, and social organizations participated. Among the guests of honor were local leaders, senators, mayors… Above all, Poles and Americans of Polish descent formed the crowd, people occupying the curbs along the Jos. Campau Str.
As the years passed, with social and economic changes, many Hamtramck residents began to move north to Troy, Sterling Heights, Macomb, Washington Township, and Rochester. This migration reflected not only the desire for better living conditions but also the evolution of the Polish presence in the Detroit metropolitan area.
Successive parades drew fewer and fewer people.
It became clear that Polish Parades had to find a different location. It’s not just about geography, but about honoring the Polish community, its presence, and its memory. Parades aren’t just street marches. They are an expression of identity, community, and continuity. They must go where the heart of our community beats most strongly.
And so, for the past three years, our Parades have made their way to Warren. You might ask, why Warren and why do they take place in August?
I understand that the Warren Parade is intended to continue the traditions of the Polish Parade. If so, it should, above all, be a space for those who are just discovering what it means to be part of Polish history.
Is the choice of time a coincidence? The month of August is associated with Solidarity in Polish history. I haven’t noticed that the recent Polish August Parades were a tribute to those who fought for dignity, freedom, and truth. This year, only one person marched in a “Solidarity” T-shirt, so the Solidarity trade union movement certainly wasn’t the reason for choosing the time of the Parade.
Every Parade carries a message. For example, in 2009, we commemorated the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War II and the 20th anniversary of the fall of communism in Poland. In other years, the successes of Polish emigrants or the role of women in building community were commemorated. We must remember that the Polish Parade is not just a celebration – it is an act of caring for memory, a gesture of intergenerational solidarity, and an invitation to celebrate together what unites us.
My next question concerns the selection of the Polish Parade Marshal.
The Polish Parade Marshal is not just the person leading the Parade, but a symbol of community, memory, and national pride. The selection of the Marshal should reflect the values that the Polish community in Michigan wants to emphasize in a given year. Could it be that Polish-Italian friendship and Queen Bona are the most important things this year?
The representatives of students and teachers from the Adam Mickiewicz Polish School in Sterling Heights, participating in this year’s Parade, answered this question brilliantly. The students reminded the organizers that 2025 marks the thousandth anniversary of the moment that forever changed the face of Poland – the coronation of Bolesław the Brave as the first king of Poland. This groundbreaking act in 1025 meant the elevation of the Polish state to the rank of kingdom, symbolizing its sovereignty and equal standing among European powers. Bravo, Polish school of Adam Mickiewicz!
When selecting the Parade Marshal, I have nothing against the internationalization of Polish parades; after all, we live in an age of globalization! However, the honorary role of Parade Marshal must reflect values important to the Polish community. I think the reader will agree with me that this is a representative role that must bridge generations and values.
I will suggest who should be the Marshal of the Polish Parade.
A veteran or veteran activist. Someone who served Poland or cultivates the memory of its struggle.
A teacher or educator of the Polish diaspora. Someone who has been transmitting language, history, and culture to the younger generation for years.
An artist or cultural creator. Someone who strengthens the identity of the Polish diaspora and inspires reflection through music, poetry, theater, and visual arts.
A leader of the local community. Someone who actively works for integration, organizes events, and is the “heart of the community.” I will recall that the Piast Institute recently selected 25 Polish diaspora leaders! So let’s not say there are no leaders among the Polish community.
Expanding on the theme of “Marshal of the Polish Parade,” one might attempt to develop criteria worth considering when selecting the Marshal: involvement in the life of the Polish community, the ability to connect generations, respect for history and tradition, charisma and the ability to inspire others, media presence, etc.
The values that the Marshal embodies include: historical memory, unity of generations, the contribution of the Polish community to local life, and the promotion of Polish culture and traditions.
Polish parades can be powerful tools for unity—but only if we dare to make them inclusive, reflective, and alive with meaning.
Judge John M. Chmura chairs the parade committee. I hope he will agree with me.
I believe the Board of Directors of the Polish American Congress in Michigan will not oversleep preparing for the 2026 parade. I am ready to help!
Alicja Karlic
Gentle Readers, The Polish community provides some interesting and confounding demographics which make deciding on the perfect time, location and date of the parade almost impossible to agree on. In addition, parades serve different puposes: they entertain us, they bring us joy; they memorialize events in our heritage or history. It is most difficult to combine them successfully. Remember that our last two grand marshals were (prior to this year’s Mr. Lucido) from the music community and proud of their Polish heritage. What affects our choices to a large extent is the financial aspect: parades are free to watch and expensive to organize: advertizing, police services, emergency vehicles, signs, insurance coverage, stage set-ups, and annual float re-modeling. etc. Forthis we present a roast of the grand marshall who by way of job description should be amusing , easily recognizable, able to draw a crowd,
Please if you are the one with all the answers and ideas, feel free to share them,
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