History and Roots of Dyngus Day

Dyngus Day is a wonderful little celebration that has a strong tradition rooted in Polish History. It is more commonly known as Easter Monday, Wet Monday, or Smigus Dyngus.

The commonly accepted explanation is that it is a day in which one can celebrate the official end of Catholic Lent. (Can't celebrate on Sunday now can we?)

Joe and I discovered this little event through some friends at Purdue University. Mark and Gooch were South Bend, Indiana natives. Now it seems that South Bend has a strong Polish community that likes to remember the old ways, or they just like to have a good excuse to ditch work and spend the day partying. Anyways, Mark and Gooch brought this wonderful, wonderful holiday with them to Purdue University to celebrate with their friends. It was instantly a huge success with all who were lucky enough to attend.

Then, in 1993, tragedy struck. Mark and Gooch graduated! Who would carry on the cause? Why Joe Kline and Tony Dunlap of course! They tended to believe in the "as good a reason as any" to drink theory of the origins of Dyngus Day. Thus, with grim determination, they set off and hosted their first party in 1994. It was such a grand success that the tradition continues to this day, with people traveling hundreds of miles to join in the festivities.

Follow the links below to learn a little more about the history of our annual celebration.

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Here are a few more links of some legitimate info about Dyngus Day.