Fest features polka legend Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra with a tribute to John Stanky

WILKES-BARRE — As the America 250 celebration approaches, the Pennsylvania Polkafest will return to Mohegan Pennsylvania from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 11, with 18-time Grammy Award winner Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, who will perform with Joe Stanky & The Cadets and The Polka Family Band.

The event will take place in Mohegan’s Keystone Grand Ballroom and is sponsored by Mrs. T’s Pierogies. The show will celebrate polka music, dancing, cultural heritage, and traditional Slovak-Polish food.

“This event just gets bigger and bigger, and I am honored this year to celebrate the talent of John Stanky,” said Sturr.

A tribute to polka icon John Stanky will honor the life and music of the musician, whose music was loved around the world. The Nanticoke native passed away on Christmas Day 2025. John served as the frontman for Stanky and the Coal Miners, who recorded over 20 albums. This tribute will be heartfelt for John’s brother Joe Stanky, who said, “All the featured bands will be coordinating a tribute to my brother, John.”

Joe Stanky and The Cadets is a national act that has toured for 30 years, and The Polka Family Band is a four-time Grammy-nominated band that performs nationally.

In addition to lively music and dancing, fest goers can indulge in food and drinks, with Mrs. T’s providing their beloved pierogies.

Polkafest debuted in 2023 and has continually grown, with over 500 guests attending last year. Presented by the nonprofit Wilkes-Barre Metro Development Corporation, Pennsylvania Polkafest is co-produced by Greco’s Rittenhouse Entertainment, Joe Nardone’s Magnus Concerts, and Jim Della Croce’s Pathfinder Productions.

“We have presented John Stanky and the Coal Miners at several Polkafests, and it will be an honor to celebrate John Stanky this year,” Greco said. “My mother is Slovak, and at the age of 96, she attended last year’s event and will be there this year. This is all about family and our traditions.”

Nardone added, “Looking forward to the tribute to John Stanky and the Coal Miners. People travel from New York, New Jersey, all around Pennsylvania, and there is a bus coming from Binghamton.”

Della Croce said, “Jimmy Sturr is America’s #1 polka star, so it’s appropriate that he celebrates America’s 250th anniversary and pays tribute to superstar legend John Stanky.”

“Pennsylvania Polkafest is a cherished tradition, and we are honored to host an event that resonates so deeply with families throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Tony Carlucci, President & General Manager at Mohegan Pennsylvania. “Supporting our local community has always been a priority for us, and we take great pride in providing a welcoming setting where people can connect, celebrate long-standing traditions, and enjoy an experience that continues to grow each year.”

Pennsylvania Polkafest is an all-ages event; however, most areas of Mohegan, Pennsylvania, are 21-plus, including the hotel, casino floor, and most restaurants. All guests under 21 must be accompanied by an adult — enter via the hotel and convention center entrance and proceed directly to the Keystone Grand Ballroom.

Hotel rooms are available by contacting reservations for Mohegan Pennsylvania at 888-946-4672 or 570-224-9557, or by booking online.

Tickets for this year’s Pennsylvania Polkafest are now on sale. Reserved table seating is $30 per person, with tables of 10 available for those looking to be closer to the stage. General admission is open table seating and is $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

Tickets can be purchased online, and assistance for online tickets is available by calling 570-550-6410.

In addition, tickets are available at Gallery of Sound in Wilkes-Barre and Dickson City (cash sales only).

For more information and exclusive updates, follow Pennsylvania Polkafest on Facebook or visit www.pennsylvaniapolkafest.com.