'Polka Time Again' hosts to lead the parade
Joe Gabrosek (left) and Gene Kovack have produced more than 1,000 episodes of “Polka Time Again” for WCTV and other community access television stations. They will serve as this year’s Blue Tip Grand Marshals. Photo by GLENN WOJCIAK
WADSWORTH – There is no greater honor in the Blue Tip Parade than serving as Grand Marshal.
This esteemed individual or individuals ride in the vehicle that leads the parade through town. Once the car stops at the gazebo island in the square, it is the responsibility of the grand marshal to step into a cherry picker and ascend to the top of the giant Blue Tip match to light it, signaling the beginning of the festivities.
This year, the honor goes to Gene Kovack and Joe Gabrosek, hosts of WCTV’s beloved series “Polka Time Again.”
The pair have been hosting the show on WCTV for more than 23 years, making it the longest running series show on local access television in the United States. They have been inducted into the National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame, won numerous local WCTV Clapper Awards and also national and regional awards presented by the Alliance for Community Media.
“I feel very honored to be selected to do this very important duty in the parade,” Gabrosek said.
Gabrosek added that he and Kovack hadn’t decided which of them would actually light the match.
“Maybe we will flip a coin for it,” he said.
“I’m going to defer to age,” Kovack said. “Joe is 10 years older than me, so I’m going to let him do it.”
Gabrosek said he has enjoyed participating in the parade in the past, riding on a WCTV float and throwing candy.
“But I’ve never had the chance to do something like this,” he said, referring to being Grand Marshal.
“I think I was in the parade with a musical group before,” Kovack said.
Gabrosek said he is especially excited to have some of his out of town family there watching the parade.
This esteemed individual or individuals ride in the vehicle that leads the parade through town. Once the car stops at the gazebo island in the square, it is the responsibility of the grand marshal to step into a cherry picker and ascend to the top of the giant Blue Tip match to light it, signaling the beginning of the festivities.
This year, the honor goes to Gene Kovack and Joe Gabrosek, hosts of WCTV’s beloved series “Polka Time Again.”
The pair have been hosting the show on WCTV for more than 23 years, making it the longest running series show on local access television in the United States. They have been inducted into the National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame, won numerous local WCTV Clapper Awards and also national and regional awards presented by the Alliance for Community Media.
“I feel very honored to be selected to do this very important duty in the parade,” Gabrosek said.
Gabrosek added that he and Kovack hadn’t decided which of them would actually light the match.
“Maybe we will flip a coin for it,” he said.
“I’m going to defer to age,” Kovack said. “Joe is 10 years older than me, so I’m going to let him do it.”
Gabrosek said he has enjoyed participating in the parade in the past, riding on a WCTV float and throwing candy.
“But I’ve never had the chance to do something like this,” he said, referring to being Grand Marshal.
“I think I was in the parade with a musical group before,” Kovack said.
Gabrosek said he is especially excited to have some of his out of town family there watching the parade.