Polkamotion by the Ocean in Rehoboth

Coming up on 10 years in Rehoboth and 34 years overall on the Delmarva Peninsula, Polkamotion by the Ocean co-chairperson Mike Matousek said this year's festival is once again shaping up to sell out area accommodations to pierogi-loving polka fans.

The four-day festival, set to kick off at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12 in the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, typically attracts as many as 700 fans of polka each day in celebration of Polish foods, music and heritage.

This year's lineup includes 11 polka bands from all over the United States and wraps up with what the organizer calls "Polka Mass" on Sunday, Sept. 15, a more relaxed day of polka performances and a church service.

"A lot of our fans turn out to be Roman Catholic so for their convenience we have a mass on Sunday," he said. "Sunday is a little more laid back, when a lot of the locals come out."

Originally founded in 1980, the first 24 years of Polkamotion by the Ocean took place at the old convention center in Ocean City until the festival moved northward to Rehoboth Beach in 2004.

Offering more than just polkas, waltzes and obereks during Polkamotion, Matousek said Polish novelties and polka cds will be available for sale, along with beer and homemade Polish foods, which he said tend to be big draws for the event

"Once you're in there we've got you covered," Matousek said. "We make all our own homemade Polish sausage, called kielbasas, pierogies and golabkis."

Before the start of September, he said organizers have already prepared and frozen more than 3,000 pierogies.

"We usually run out of food and this year, we are determined not to run out," Matousek said. "We even make a homemade red beet soup which is something people particularly like, called barszcz."

He said more timid eaters should not worry either, there will be plenty of more commonplace American foods available as well.

In addition to all the other polka-related activities beginning on Thursday, Matousek said his fellow organizers are also hosting a "Best Ball" golf tournament at Old Landing Golf Course on Wednesday, Sept. 11 as a precursor to the events.

He warns those who are planning to travel to town to make accommodations early, as this September weekend usually sells out area lodgings.

"Apparently, Polkamotion is one of the biggest events to sell out hotel rooms," Matousek said. "Eventually we are going to max out at the convention center, but that will be a good problem."

BOX:

Tickets will be available at the doors of the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.

Tickets are also available by contacting Mike Ziemski at 410-654-4724 or mikez@rbpolka.com.

For more information about Polkamotion by the Ocean, visit www.polkamotion.com or www.rbpolka.com.

Finally, to register for the Best Ball Tournament at Old Landing Golf Course, contact Rich Anton at 732-905-9454.