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Parma mayor and city council ask Ukrainian community to join them in Polish Constitution Day Parade

4/11/2022 5:45:00 PM


PARMA, Ohio
– After a two-year hiatus due to COVID restrictions, the Polish Constitution Day Parade is returning this year at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 1. The Polish American Congress – Ohio Division, in collaboration with Polish Village Parma, is organizing the parade and weekend celebration, which begins Friday evening, April 29.

 Polish Constitution Day commemorates the signing of Europe’s first democratic constitution. The weekend event will celebrate Poland’s freedom and democracy as well as Polish culture, traditions, food and music.

As in years past, city leaders will participate in the parade, but this year as a show of solidarity for Ukraine, Parma Mayor Tim DeGeeter and Parma City Council are inviting Parma’s Ukrainian church leaders, Parma’s Ukrainian business owners and the city’s Ukrainian residents, as well as Ukrainian leaders to join them.

“Parma has a strong connection with Ukraine and Poland. In fact, I have a familial connection to Poland because my late mother was a Grontkowski who was born and raised in the Polish community of west side South Bend, Ind.,” DeGeeter said. “Since the conflict, Poland had supported Ukraine and taken in millions of Ukrainian refugees. We have also seen Polish Village in Parma show its support of Ukrainian Village throughout this crisis.                                                                   

“To have area Ukrainian leaders and our Ukrainian church officials, business owners and residents join us as we walk in the Polish Constitution Day Parade demonstrates how Parma and Polish Village stand with Ukraine and stand for democracy,” DeGeeter added.

Parma’s Ukrainian community members who wish to join the mayor and council should email the Parma Mayor’s Office at
mayorsoffice@cityofparma-oh.gov by noon, Thursday, April 14. Parade participants will meet at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 1 at Parma Circle, Ridge Road, Parma. The parade steps off at 3 p.m. and will travel north on Ridge Road to Snow Road.

For details about the weekend activities and Sunday festival, follow the Polish Village in Parma Ohio Facebook page @PolishVillage.