Tony Petkovsek’s Thanksgiving Polka Party Celebrates 48 Years On Air

America's longest running daily polka and Slovenian radio program marks 48 years on the air. In conjunction with his radio tenure, Tony hosts the longest running Thanksgiving holiday polka event which began in the early 1960's. 2009 marks twenty years downtown at the Cleveland Marriott Hotel on Public Square in Cleveland, Ohio

In addition to celebrating the many years Tony has been broadcasting, The Polka Hall of Fame will be staging AWARDS SHOW XXII at Slovenian National Home, 6417 St. Clair Avenue Cleveland, Ohio at 2:00pm on the Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend. The show was a big success last year at the same venue which provides refreshments and Slovenian style food. Groups can pre order food at 216-361-5115.

Following the big show, the event then moves three miles west to the downtown Marriott Hotel. A  Polka Mass with celebrants Bishop A. Edward Pevec and Minnesota's Father Frank Perkovich starts at 6pm in the hotel ballroom.

There's plenty of free parking underground at the hotel as over 15 leading bands will take turns on the stage performing for your listening and dancing pleasure. Frank Bucar and Singing Slovenes of Duluth Minnesota www.singingslovenes.com look forward to their first appearance at this big event.

Thursday and Friday events support Tony Petkovsek's radio program with assistance from the Cleveland Slovenian Radio Club. Both events on Saturday are sponsored by the American Slovenian Polka Foundation.

As in the past we expect several bus groups to join us at our event. Dan Coppens will bring a bus from Michigan and a bus from Canada. Dan Andresen of Wisconsin; Jerry Ponikvar and Kathy Vogt both from Canada plus the Singing Slovenes from Minnesota will also travel to Cleveland via bus.

Special hotel accommodations are available at $105. For reservations contact Kollander Travel at 800-800-5981. Admission tickets for each of the events are$15. Contact the Polka Hall of Fame, 605 at  East 222 St.,Euclid, Ohio 44123.(2i6-261-3263) Plan now on visiting Cleveland for a first class affordable Polka experience, November 26-28, 2009 with extended days also available.

Tony Petkovsek is heard Monday thru Friday from 2 till 4p.m. and Saturdays from 12 Noon till 2p.m.on WELW-1330AM and 24/7 Polka- Heaven.com on the worldwide internet. Tony Petkovsek can be reached at 216-952-8669

Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Center

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/clesc-cleveland-marriott-downtown-at-key-center

Thurs. Nov. 26, 2009

3:00pm             Linda Lee Brown
6:00pm             Kolman Weindorfer & Matt Frank Main Ballroom:
4:00pm             Bobby Kravos and the Boys in the Band
5:00pm             Walter Ostanek and Joey Miskulin
6:00pm             Joey Tomsick - JTO’s Polka Fun House
7:30pm             Happy Musicians Alpine Style - Veseli Godci
9:00pm             Frank Bucar & The Singing Slovenes (Minn.)
10:30pm           Grant Kozera BlueHaus Polka Kings (Wisc.)“A Tribute to Frankie Yankovic)

In the Erie-Superior Side Room:

7:00pm             Mike Wojtila & Dale Bucar (vocals)
9:00pm             Dr. David Turk’s Jammers

Friday. Nov. 27, 2009

1:00pm             Fairport Jammers Main Ballroom:
3:00pm             Hunk Thumander Tribute to Eddie Habat featuring Mark and Wayne Habat
4:30pm             Hank Haller Ensemble
6:00pm             Rob Deblander (Mich.)
8:00pm             Ultimate Jam Session join the fun with Joey T! Showtime:
8:30pm             Frank Bucar & The Singing Slovenes
10:00pm           Fred Ziwich – International Sound Machine
11:30pm           Joey Miskulin and Walter Ostanek In the Erie-Superior Side Room:
7:00pm             Grant Kozera
9:00pm             Jam with Lori Skvarch (Pa.)& Kenny Zalar

Saturday – November 28, 2009

“MEET THE WINNERS” RECEPTION and DANCE

MARRIOTT HOTEL DOWNTOWN

Tickets $15 per person

6:00pm             Polka Mass – Bishop A. Edward Pevec & Fr. Frank Perkovich
                           Frank Bucar and the Singing Slovenes
8:30pm             Introduction of the 2009 Winners
10:00pm           Hall of Fame Band of the Year
                           Eddie Rodick Orchestra
                           Ron Likovic - Button Player of the Year