Given its large Polish population, it makes sense that Milwaukee would host Polish Fest, the biggest festival in the U.S. dedicated entirely to the arts and culture of Poland. Through Polish crafts, food, drink, dance, and music, festivalgoers learn all about their own heritage or the heritage of others living in their community.

Come to Henry W. Maier Park between June 16th and 18th to experience Polish Fest. Over the course of the weekend, taste-test Chopin Vodka, a distinctly Polish spirit or attend cooking classes that teach the ins and outs of traditional Polish dishes, such as bigos (hunter stew), goblaki (cabbage rolls), and paczki. Watch while folk artists demo classic polish crafting, from pisanki (egg decorating) to wycinanki (paper cutting). Don't forget to stop at the Sukiennice Marketplace, featuring more than 40 vendors selling Polish toys and pottery, offering acupuncture and massage, and even providing the tools to research your Polish lineage. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the gate.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr Ryan Dickey