Tony Petkovsek Grateful for Thanksgiving Turnout

by Alice Kuhar

A perfect weekend weatherwise and polkawise brought the usual folks from over 20 states, Canada, the Netherlands and all of greater Cleveland to Tony Petkovsek's Thanksgiving radio promotion at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Cleveland.

Each year since the early 1960's and more recently since 1990 many organizations and individuals packed the major downtown venue on both Thursday and Friday to support the Cleveland Slovenian Radio Club and the polka parties for the longest running daily polka and Slovenian show on WELW 1330AM and www.247PolkaHeaven.com 

Twenty Cleveland-style bands were booked and rotated at the Marriott Grand Ballroom as well as in the Erie Superior side room and even in the main lobby of the facility between St. Clair and Public Square. Jam sessions were another feature in addition to receptions in various rooms of the tour bus leaders plus the top 25th floor hospitality suite.

U.S. Senator George Voinovich, showing his personal friendship to Tony Petkovsek, left his own family gathering in northeast Cleveland to attend right on Thanksgiving night. The former Cleveland mayor and Ohio Governor has been known to visit Tony's events.

Highlight of entertainment came mid Friday evening when the Mi Smo Mi young men's chorus debuted along with the colorful Kres folklore dancers. 

On the Saturday afternoon the Polka Hall of Fame hosted the 21st Awards Show for the first time at St. Clair Slovenian Home and then later the Meet the Winners dance following Bishop Edward Pevec's Polka Mass at the Marriott concelebrated by polka priest Fr. Frank Perkovich of Minnesota. 

The holiday weekend events, Thursday and Friday are in direct support of Tony's daily radio shows heard Monday thru Friday from 2:00pm – 4:00pm and Saturdays Noon – 2:00pm 

View Photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/philip.hrvatin/PetkovsekThanksgiving