FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER
The Detroit Tigers tonight will host their 40th annual Polish American night, complete with Polish dance and music.
This year’s event is dedicated to Polish President Lech Kaczynski, First Lady Maria Kaczynska and others who died in a plane crash April 10.
Local polka bands will entertain fans as they enter the stadium -- Big Daddy Orchestra at 5 p.m. outside Gate C, the Natural Tones at 5:30 p.m. inside Gate B, and the Kielbasa Kings at 5:30 p.m. at the Big Cat Court.
Paws will join traditional Polish dancers on the field at 6:35 p.m. Meteorologist Chuck Gaidica of WDIV-TV (Channel 4) will emcee the festivities.
Nicole Blaszczyk, the reigning Miss Michigan of the Miss American Pageant, and Jerry Lubiarz, Polish American Night representative, will throw the ceremonial first pitches.
Robert Szczublewski will perform the U.S. and Polish national anthems.
The traditional postgame Friday night fireworks will be accompanied by polka music.
Detroit Free Press