PolkaFest was created in 1998 by “Polish Bill” Marano and his late wife Debbie, who pursued their dream of creating a world-class Polka festival in Johnstown. The Maranos’ knew that Johnstown’s ethnic heritage would make it the perfect setting for the festival. The Maranos’ partnered with the former Johnstown Business District Coalition to coordinate the…
PolkaFest was created in 1998 by “Polish Bill” Marano and his late wife Debbie, who pursued their dream of creating a world-class Polka festival in Johnstown. The Maranos’ knew that Johnstown’s ethnic heritage would make it the perfect setting for the festival. The Maranos’ partnered with the former Johnstown Business District Coalition to coordinate the…
former Johnstown Business District Coalition to coordinate the festival in 1998 and 1999, which was held in multiple locations throughout downtown Johnstown. Visit Johnstown, in coordination with the Maranos, assumed the operation and promotion of the festival in 2000. In 2001 the evening dances were moved to the Masonic Temple on Valley Pike, which was…
