"2015-04-20T00:00:00"^^ . . "0"^^ . "To many this may appear to be nothing more than a church picnic for Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish. And in some regards that's what it is. But it probably ranks high on any list as one of the most well-attended and enthusiastic church picnics on the planet. For us it is an annual, not-to-be-missed affair.\n\nWe arrived early on Sunday. Experience has proven that once noon rolls around the food lines get ridiculous. And they should, what's being served is some of the best \"home cooking\" you will find at any public event. And cheap, considering all it takes to put this show on. The early morning crowds are, well, not exactly crowds but once Sunday Mass lets out the entire church grounds is swamped with people, the majority of them holding a glass (or a pitcher) of cold Polish beer.\n\nFrankly, there's not a whole lot to do and that would be my #1 suggestion to the organizers ... other than a few carny types hawking skin care products and jewelry the displays are most short of anything Polish. There is a gift shop booth but by mid-day Sunday they were down to a few things that looked like they were found stuffed in the back of someone's garage. With all of the space available I would suggest much more in the way of locally-made (and imported) Polish goods. Including Polish foods which I would think the few remaining local Polish bakeries and delis would love to participate in.\n\nThe main focus of the event is the entertainment and I can't say enough about the talent and work the entertainers put in to their performances. Most of them come from cooler climates in the East and Midwest and their act calls for them to put on long dance routines in the hot Phoenix sun, all the while dressed in heavy ethnic costumes. They smile throughout and never complain. I had the opportunity to stand close to the stage and had a good vantage point of the energy they put in to their work.\n\nThe organizers have logistics down to a science. There is ample off-site free parking and a friendly shuttle driver in brand-new vans ferrying people back and forth every few minutes. There are lots of friendly staffers and security people and the clean-up crew keeps everything neat and clean despite the endless eating and drinking.\n\nI met a few people who were attending for the first time. One family from California and another who defended themselves as being Irish but wanted to try the food (they liked it).\n\nLast thing - despite the crowds, the heat and the noise every volunteer was cheerful and helpful. It was clear to see they were there because they wanted to help and that brought it all back to the feeling of a nice, friendly local church picnic."^^ . "5"^^ . . "0"^^ . . "0"^^ .