Members would turn out on weekends to sweep and clean Pulaski Street, mow grass, and plant flowers in newly installed wooden boxes along the street.  Land was donated to build a Mini Park across from St. Isidore's.   Today - a stone marker, flagpole, and a beautiful European style street clock enhance the streets of Polish Town.  But all of this would take money and the organization found themselves looking into fund-raising projects.

Click here for the history of Polish Town

The first Polish Town Street Fair was held on the third weekend in August of 1975.  Approximately 20,000 people ventured out on a rainy weekend to eat Polish foods, dance in the street to Polish music, and browse the different vendors displaying their wares.  The fair quickly grew.  From 50 booths in 1975 to some 250 today. 

Through the years, the Polish Town Street Fair & Festival has been carried out flawlessly and the crowds return year after year to enjoy what has become one of the most successful fairs of its kind in the United States.  Some 500 volunteers give of their time to make this event run smoothly.  Since the beginning of the first fair, Polish Town flourishes once again.  Businesses are flourishing and property values have increased substantially.  Polish pride is stronger than ever.
 

In the summer of 1978, the Association began the transformation of Polish Town USA into an authentic European style village.  Polish style facades were put up in front of the buildings - designed with peaks and cones to resemble stucco and wood.  The members designed wychianki patterns and painted them on wooden shutters to be hung on the stores and homes in the area.  This colorful Polish folk art included intricate geometric patterns, flowers, and scenes from people's daily lives.  Hanging baskets and ornamental trees were placed along Pulaski Street.  Signs were also made indicating merchant's wares in the Polish language. New street signs were designed with a Polish eagle indicating a different area.  As an added touch, mileage signs to the main cities in Poland were placed throughout the area.  These signs have become a visual identification for Polish Town USA and fascinate the many visitors who come each year.

In 1979, the association decided to establish a genuine headquarters within Polish Town.  An old dilapidated building and surrounding land was purchased for $35,000.  Bonds were sold and money was raised to renovate the building.  Along with countless volunteer hours, a beautiful landmark Chalet Headquarters opened its doors in 1983.

Since 1980, the annual Polish Dance Festival, held in conjunction with the Street Fair, took place in a huge tent across from the Chalet headquarters.  This area, referred to as Polonaise Park, was leased for other events too, such as jazz festivals, ethnic events, and Riverhead Town functions.  In 1993, the land owner offered one half of the parcel for the PTCA's use and was to sell the other half to a developer.  The Association knew this was an important parcel for Polish Town, and half would not be sufficient.  After many months of negotiation, the land was purchased on May 19th, 1994.  Since then, Polonaise Park has been completely renovated with the the addition, this year, of a brand new open pavilion.

Other Accomplishments:

"Packages to Poland Program" - over the years, tons of food and clothing have reached needy families in Poland for Christmas and Easter through our efforts.
In 1993, membership voted to donate $5,000 toward a room i the new wing of Central Suffolk Hospital in Riverhead.
"Thanksgiving Food Baskets" through St. Isidore's and St. John's
$5,000 raised in 1984-85 for the Statue of Liberty - Ellis Island Restoration.
"Polish Gift of Life" fund raising event to help Polish children needing open-heart surgery at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, NY.
$1,000 donated to the Riverhead Free Library for a new Polish section.
In 1989, a scholarship program was started for the youth of the organization.
Yearly sponsorship of a local PAL athletic team.