Dyngus Day 2025: South Bend’s tradition of Polish sausage and politics

SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- Easter Monday is Dyngus Day in South Bend. It started as a Polish holiday, and those traditions came with Polish immigrants to the city.

The West Side Democratic and Civic Club claims to be the original home of the holiday, starting back in 1930, and there, it became a yearly chance for voters and politicians to come together.

It was arguably Bobby Kennedy's 1968 Dyngus Day appearance that solidified this as a political day of rubbing elbows in South Bend.

"Especially because it falls on the calendar right as you're getting close to the primary season," said South Bend Mayor James Mueller.

Timothy Hudak has served as president of the West Side Democratic Club for 30 years.

"It's a political holiday," he said, "for the fact that it brings the voters, the elected officials, and the candidates together in one room."

It's typically a big event for local Democrats, but Republicans often get in on the action too.

"Dyngus Day always falls on the day after easter. It's traditionally a day in South Bend and other areas where candidates come out and announce their candidacy for office. Traditionally, it's been a democrat holiday, but we've decided to co-opt it and participate as well as republicans," said Jackie Horvath, chair of the St. Joseph County Republican Party.

The Young Republicans of St. Joseph County hosted an event at Allie's Cafe and Catering in South Bend. Secretary of State Diego Morales made an appearance.

"We can't continue these rising republican primaries and elections if we don't have the younger generation involved," said Elysia Morales, secretary for the SJC Young Republicans. "This gives people the opportunity to talk to their elected officials face to face, have civil conversation, constructive dialogue."

For many, including Democrats like Jason Critchlow, there's more to Dyngus Day than politics.

"So we talk about sausage, we talk about the beer, we talk about politics, but really it's about community," said Critchlow, Portage Township Trustee.

There's no election this year, but the West Side Democratic Club still brought its usual energy and crowd.

ABC57's Annie Kate asked the SJC Democratic Party Chair, Donald Westerhausen, what the message is from the party during a divided time.

"Unity and community coming together so that people know that there are others just like them with the same fears," he said.

"Dyngus Day is really an opportunity for Democrats to go out there and be among real people and hear what they have to say," Critchlow said.

"I would love to give classes on Dyngus Day so other people can utilize it as a political holiday," Hudak said.

After hosting Dyngus Day for 30 years, Hudak announced Monday that this year is his last. Hudak passed off the keys to the club to Ricky Herbst.

"It's been a fun venture bringing in people, voters, the elected officials, candidates, all in the same room together," Hudak said.