On a snowy Thursday night at a Solon Township meeting, negotiations concluded over the future of the Cedar Polka Festival.
The board and Cedar Chamber of Commerce agreed to pay $225 per day for approximately nine days ($2,000+) per year for a period spanning three years. The price may fluctuate slightly from year to year.
For 42 years, the Polka Festival has paid $1 per year for use of the township park in Cedar, including the tennis courts, which board members agreed are beyond repair with no intention of replacement or improvement.
New trustees Steve Morgan made the motion, and Kelly Claar seconded. But the board voted in favor, though not without disagreement and extensive negotiation.
“The Cedar Polka Festival Foundation is dedicated to empowering local nonprofi ts and charitable organizations through promoting our local community and celebrating Cedar’s rich Polish history. The Cedar Chamber of Commerce proudly invests tens of thousands of dollars annually to benefit Cedar and our surrounding communities,” Cedar Polka Fest Director Lisa Rossi-Brett said.
The Polka Festival generates scholarships and donations to nonprofits that reach tens of thousands of dollars while spending upward of $27,000 to $41,000 to support several other local events.
The town hall meeting quickly turned into direct negotiations between the Solon Township Board and the Polka Festival.
New Solon Township Supervisor Chris Comeaux ushered in his tenure by addressing the topic that played a part in the local election. Originally, the Township offered $450 per day, which was met with disgust from the Polka Fest.
Then Comeaux offered $1,000 for this year with intentions of raising it as the years progressed, but that was met with opposition from the newly elected board.
Eventually, negotiations settled at the $225 per day.
“We can’t just do what we’ve always done. Handshake deals are a thing of the past... The township has the responsibility to the taxpayers to make sure that we’re taking care of facilities. And anybody that wants exclusive use of those facilities should expect to pay a fee for that use,” Claar said.
The Cedar Polka Fest has been around for 42 years, celebrating four days of Polish tradition in the Heart of Leelanau County.
The next Polka Fest is on the calendar for Aug. 21-24, 2025.
