Dancing in the Rain on Fifth Avenue: PonsPolonia.AI Joins the 89th Pulaski Day Parade

October 4, 2026 marked a special milestone for PonsPolonia.ai.For the very first time, our newly established nonprofit organization stepped into the public eye, proudly joining the89th Annual Pulaski Day Paradeon New York City's iconic Fifth Avenue. The experience was unforgettable: four hours of community spirit, Polish pride, new friendships, and yes... a little rain.

The Pulaski Day Parade is one of the most important annual celebrations of Polish heritage in the United States. This year's parade carried the theme"For Our Freedom and Yours", honoring General Tadeusz Kościuszko and General Kazimierz Pułaski while also celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence. Thousands of Polish Americans representing schools, cultural organizations, businesses, parishes, youth groups, and community associations marched up Fifth Avenue from 36th Street to 54th Street.

For PonsPolonia.ai, the event was more than a parade. It was our official debut.

Leading our contingent and proudly carrying the PonsPolonia.ai banner were:

• Małgorzata Ciuraszkiewicz
• Marie Głowacki
• Margaret Niznikiewicz
• Roberto Sicconi
• Małgorzata Styś

As we moved north along Fifth Avenue, surrounded by a sea of white-and-red flags, folk costumes, music, and cheering spectators, we experienced firsthand what makes the Polish-American community so unique: a powerful connection between history, culture, and future generations.

A Few Fun Facts About the 2026 Parade

• The 2026 parade was the 89th Annual Pulaski Day Parade , continuing a tradition that dates back to 1937.
• The march followed the classic Fifth Avenue route from 36th Street to 54th Street , passing landmark locations including the New York Public Library and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
• Participants represented Polish-American communities from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania .
• The parade featured marching bands, cultural groups, community organizations, service associations, and numerous floats assembled along 36th through 39th Streets before stepping off.
• Despite periods of rain, spirits remained high. The weather became part of the celebration as participants smiled, waved, sang, and, at times, seemed to be "dancing in the rain."

Why This Matters

PonsPolonia.ai was created to help preserve, celebrate, and share Polish heritage through education, technology, storytelling, and community engagement. Walking in the Pulaski Day Parade connected us with the generations who have carried Polish culture forward in America and reminded us why our mission matters.

For a young nonprofit, there could hardly have been a more fitting first public appearance than marching among thousands of people who share a passion for Polish history, culture, language, and identity.

We arrived as a new organization.

We left feeling like part of a much larger family.

Dziękujemy to everyone who cheered, marched, volunteered, organized, and celebrated alongside us. We look forward to many more opportunities to build bridges between the past and the future of Polonia.