Polka festival draws people from around the country to Hankinson

HANKINSON, N.D. (KVRR) – At the Hankinson Community Center in Hankinson, North Dakota people came from all across the country to enjoy an old school polka festival.

During Hankinson’s Music Fest, polka enthusiasts from across the country come to town to bring dancehall vibes to the local community center.

John and Shirley Kalla are from St. Joseph, Minnesota. They’ve been dancing since 1956.

They love to travel to all the polka festivals they can get to and hear some of that old time music.

“We’ve danced most all our lives. Since I was nine my mom and dad used to take us to the old time music. So we’ve been dancers for years.”

They say that they love the opportunity to get out and talk to people in the towns and communities that they visit.

“We enjoy the people, and the bands.”

They also want to spread their love of polka to a new generation.

“I encourage the young kids to get out and see what it is. To meet all the people and enjoy it a little bit.”

Wallace Rodewald came to Hankinson from Detroit Lakes. He has been doing the polka for 70 years. He says that he just loves to dance.

“I enjoy the old time music. I come even if I don’t dance much, I come for the music.”

But much like the Kalla’s he also enjoys the opportunity to connect with other people that love the music like he does.

“I guess I come here, and a lot of times I just come and listen to the music and watch other people do what I did for over 70 years.”