Popular Pierogi Festival coming to Sweetest Heart of Mary, among Detroit's oldest churches

Get ready for pierogi palooza at one of downtown Detroit's most notable churches.

All things pierogi and other delicious Polish dishes are the headliners at the Sweetest Heart of Mary annual Pierogi Festival on the city's east side.

Festival goers can, of course, expect a lot — as in tens of thousands — of pierogi on Friday through Sunday at the festival taking place on the church grounds.

The annual pierogi bonanza kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday under the outdoor tents at the Sweetest Heart of Mary Catholic Church on the city's east side. On Friday, the Polish Muslims band will perform and food will be served by Hamtramck’s well-known Polish Village Café and Srodek’s Quality Polish Food, with locations in Hamtramck and Sterling Heights.

The festival is now in its 43rd year at the church, which is one of Detroit's oldest and most ornate.

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Each year, the church hangs a large rosary from the trunk of a pine tree in hopes of protection from weather and for a great pierogi festival weekend.

All pierogi are hand made on site by church volunteers.

While the church sells pierogi year-round, on Saturday and Sunday, thousands will be available frozen or as part of a dinner, according to event organizers.

Frozen pierogi are sold by the dozen or half-dozen. Varieties are potato cheddar, farmer's cheese and kraut. You can also enjoy cooked pierogi at the festival.

Festival events include a lineup of live entertainment throughout the weekend, including music from the Polish Muslims, the Steve Drzewicki Band, Kielbasa Kings and the New Brass Express.

Polish dancers perform at different times all three days.

This event always draws big crowds to indulge in pillowy pierogi as well as stuffed cabbage, kielbasa and potato pancakes.

Sweetest Heart of Mary Church is at 4440 Russell St. in Detroit. For festival information, go to motherofdivinemercy.org.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.