Staff photos / J.T. Whitehouse Barbara Banks, left, and Rick Pompeii, along with Cindy Best, are the remaining original members who started Celebrate Poland 19 years ago. In 2026, it will be the nation’s 250th anniversary and for Celebrate Poland, year 20.

POLAND — Celebrate Poland is building momentum for 2026 and two important anniversaries — the nation’s 250th birthday and the 20th anniversary of Celebrate Poland.

“It’s hard to believe I have been doing this for 20 years,” said Cindy Best, one of the celebration’s founders. “We are down to three original members in Rick Pompeii, Barbara Banks and myself. We have grown and had many changes over the years. Some things flopped and others have risen to great success and become a staple of the event.”

She said the toughest task every year is coming up with the funds to put on a first-class celebration.

“Last year, the event cost us $49,299, and after paying all our bills, we are left with $7,500 in the bank,” she said “As you can see, we have a lot of money to raise.”

One confusing situation this year has been the proposal to have a bronze statue of William McKinley placed on Village Hall property. That project is more than $100,000 and Celebrate Poland has agreed to serve as the fiscal agent for those funds because of its non-profit status.

“We are happy to help by being a fiscal sponsor for them, but need to be clear that no monies raised for the statue in any way comes to Celebrate Poland for our yearly event,” Best said. “These are two completely different things to support.”

For Celebrate Poland, the biggest single expense is the fireworks display. Last year’s display cost $15,866.

“(The fireworks company) kept the cost the same as the year before,” she said. “For next year, they are not sure of the costs because of the tariffs. We will get a price probably mid-October. We would love to add to our fireworks show next year, bring back Poland Idol and have a few surprises for everyone.”

One surprise Best said she won’t keep a secret is the return by popular demand of local band Disco Inferno.

Best said Celebrate Poland needs the community’s help to raise the needed funds for next year’s big celebration. The next fundraiser will be the pie sales for Thanksgiving.

“Last year was the first year we tried it and it was a great success,” Best said. “We took phone orders and the public could drive through the day before Thanksgiving without placing an order and pick up fresh pies for Thanksgiving. This year, we will be taking orders at The Holiday Shoppe at Poland High School on Nov. 8. We will also be taking phone orders, and of course have pies available for a drive-thru order and pick up the day before Thanksgiving.”

The pie sales will help, but Best is hoping for more donations and would love to find a corporate sponsor or two to fund the fireworks.

“It will certainly help our bottom line,” she said.

Besides the fireworks and the musical entertainment, Celebrate Poland also has to cover the cost of advertising, portable toilets, lights, insurance, and tables and chairs. Best said each of those can cost thousands of dollars.

Best said to keep up on the latest for Celebrate Poland, guests can visit the Facebook page.

“We hope to make it the best one yet,” said Pompeii. “As long as we can raise the money, it will be the best one yet.”