The 12th annual Stump Lake Polkafest begins today and will last through Saturday at the historic Stump Lake Park Pavilion. Five of the top Midwest's bands will be performing.
They are Matt Hodek and the Dakota Dutchmen from Lankin, N.D.; George's Concertina Band from Browntown, Minn.; Larry Rysavy and the Out of Town Czech's from Rochester, Minn.; Dain's Dutchmen from Sleepy Eye, Minn.; and Malek's Fishermen Orchestra from Garner, Iowa.
Hodek will be starting the event off at 7 p.m. today with his band. Friday's events will start at noon with music provided by Rysavy and his band. Local personnel Laddie and Rose Pecka are members of this group. George Palma heads up George's Concertina Band. This four-piece group features two concertinas playing duets along with tuba and drums for rhythm.
Malek's Fisherman band was started back in the early 1900s and has been passed down in the family to the current father and son, Bob and Eric Malek, who continue the tradition.
Saturday's events will start with a pancake breakfast at the pioneer village served by the Nelson County Historical Society. Music and dancing will start at noon at the pavilion with Dain's Dutchmen. The band consists of concertina, piano, tuba, drums and vocals. Larry and Malek's will also make a return performance on Saturday. Stump Lake Park is located 12 miles south of Lakota, N.D., on U.S. Highway 1.
