Tue 2/17 @ 5AM
Tue 2/17 @ 5-9PM
Tue 2/17 @ 6PM
Are you going to be up at 5am? No, me either, but a lot of people will be, and the folks at Rudy’s Strudel will be up even earlier to get ready to greet them when they open their doors with the traditional confetti blowout at this ungodly hour for the biggest Paczki Day celebration in town.
This year they’ve partnered with Ingenuity Cleveland for what they describe as “an immersive experience” that will give you the feeling of being inside a Rudy’s Paczki box. No, I have no idea what that means — you’ll just have to go and find out. But here’s a warning; if you don’t go early, you may not be able to get near the place. DJ Michael Stutz from Rudy’s neighbor The Current Year record store will be spinning vinyl polka and Cleveland music, Brandon Baxter will be emceeing, and Tom Mroczka will be performing live. There’ll even be a polka instructor onsite, although it might be hard to find room to real swing those moves; we’re not kidding when we say this event is really REALLY popular.
You may want to order your paczki in advance, just to make sure you get the ones you want. And among the countless flavors of both sweet and savory paczkis, they’ve partnered with Malley’s Chocolates for this year’s signature flavor. Get more information here.
Just can’t do that 5am thing but still want to party before Lent starts tomorrow? Good news: EDWINS in Cleveland Heights is again hosting their Paczki Party, fun for all ages, which starts at 5 in the AFTERNOON. The Trans Am Euro Mutts will be providing the obligatory polka music, while the kitchen will be serving a host of Polish dishes including pierogi, kielbasa, leczo, sauerkraut and of course paczki, with beer for the adults. Get your tickets here.
If you’ve just got adults in your party, head over to Forest City Brewery in Ohio City where Cleveland swamp rockers Cats on Holiday will bring their full five-piece lineup to party from 6pm “until they kick us out,” according to band leader Denis DeVito. Wear your Mardi Gras beads and finery, and prepare to hit the dance floor.
