Politics and culture collide in northern Indiana on Dyngus Day -- the day after Easter (this year: 24 March). It's a religious holiday in Eastern Europe (especially Poland) that probably has pagan roots. Celebrations are common in the United States in regions with large populations with Polish, Czech and Slovakian heritage. But, it takes a particular twist in Indiana. According to Wikipedia, "In South Bend, the day is often used to launch the year's political campaign season (particularly among Democrats)- often from within the West Side Democratic Club, the M.R. Falcons Club or in local pubs, where buying drinks is favored over handshaking."
This year, former President Bill Clinton and his daughter Chelsea will visit South Bend on Dyngus Day to kick off Hoosiers for Hillary at the West Side Democratic Club, 617 South Warren Street (time to be announced).
Sounds like a lot more fun than the traditional celebration in Poland, where, early in the morning, boys awaken girls by pouring buckets of water on their heads and then "beat" them on the legs with switches made from willow, birch or decorated tree branches. The "victim" rewards her "attacker" with a decorated egg, then ties a ribbon to the boy's whip -- more ribbons, more bragging rights. (Girls will save the best eggs for the boys they like best.) Women get revenge in the afternoon by pouring a bucket of cold water on the men. Older men are given Třešňovice (cherry brandy) instead of eggs.
UPDATE:
No matter what it says in The Indianapolis Star this morning (22 March), Easter marks the end of Lent, not Dyngus Day!
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