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Polish lakeside town celebrates country music, Americana

28.07.2025 23:00
Thousands of country music fans gathered in the northeastern Polish town of Mrągowo over the weekend for the annual International Country & Folk Picnic Festival, a four-day celebration of country music and American culture.
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The event, now in its 44th year, featured a lineup of Polish and international performers at the town's open-air theater overlooking scenic Lake Czos, as well as at other venues around the area.

The lineup included Polish country stars Lonstar and Cezary Makiewicz, along with Dutch honky-tonk band Ramblin’ Boots.

Festivalgoers enjoyed energetic line dancing "just like in American movies—joyful and rooted in the spirit of the Wild West," organizers said.

The festival is one of Poland’s oldest music events and takes place in the heart of the picturesque Masurian Lake District.

In addition to live music, festivities included an open-water swimming challenge and a parade through the town that closed the event on Sunday.

Launched in the early 1980s, the Mrągowo festival has over the years hosted musicians from across Europe as well as the United States, including Rosanne Cash, the eldest daughter of the iconic singer-songwriter Johnny Cash.

Other US performers have included George Hamilton IV, Jessica Lynn, Johnny Rodriguez, Mickey Newbury, Charlie McCoy, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Shawn Camp, Brady Seals, Gail Davies and Rattlesnake Annie.

International acts have also included Raymond Froggatt from Britain, Western Union from Germany, and Kelly's Revenge Bush Band from Australia.

American flags on sale in the town centre during last year's Country Picnic Festival. American flags on sale in the town centre during a previous Country Picnic Festival.
Yee-haw, folks! A band wows the crowd at a previous Country Picnic in Mrągowo. Photo: Polish Radio Yee-haw, folks! A band performs at a previous Country Picnic in Mrągowo. Photos: Polish Radio

(gs)

Source: jedynka.polskieradio.pl, mck.mragowo.pl