Cheektowaga board approves Polish Festival permit after debate over organizer's past posts and finances

The Town of Cheektowaga on March 10 approved a special-event permit for the Polish American Congress of Western New York to hold the 46th annual Polish American Arts Festival in July 2026, but not before an extended debate about the festival's leadership and finances.

Supervisor Nowak opened the discussion and summarized the practical options before the board: keep the long-standing relationship with the Polish American Congress (PAC), run a quick request-for-proposals to find alternate organizers, or pass the permit conditionally and follow up with the PAC. "We don't want the town board to be micromanaging or running a festival," Nowak said, while noting the town could provide policing and park services without taking on day-to-day event management.

Council members and public commenters expressed a mix of views. Several residents and council members said they had concerns about a specific organizer's social-media posts dating to 2015 and about unclear financial statements presented by the PAC. "I think we have a responsibility to ensure that we have a festival that is representative of our Cheektowaga family," one council member said during the discussion, adding they personally would not support moving forward with the organization as currently presented. Other board members emphasized timing and fundraising: the PAC has secured private donors and some Erie County funding, and pulling the permit weeks before the event creates practical challenges for bookings and vendors.

Council member Bukowski voted yes but placed a condition on her support: she said the board would contact the PAC and could rescind the permit if outstanding concerns remained. Council member Lewis voted no. After a roll-call vote the resolution carried, and the permit was approved. The board recorded the approval with the understanding that the town would meet with festival organizers and reserve the right to alter its support if the PAC did not address the conduct and financial questions raised at the meeting.

What's next: The supervisor said his office and staff will meet with PAC representatives, and the board discussed issuing a short RFP if the PAC cannot address the committee's concerns in a timely fashion. The town budgeted $9,000 in town support for the festival this year, and some county funds have been earmarked to support the event, the supervisor said. The board indicated a preference to move the town away from running festivals directly and toward a model in which organizers operate events and request limited in-kind town support.