Happy Dyngus Day
Mar 24, 2008 at 9:31 AM So how much do I love it that my step-sister, Tracy just sent me the following email:
Hey Karyn... Today is Dyngus Day in Buffalo. It's a Polish/Buffalo celebration. Men go around hitting women with pussy willows to flirt with them. Sounds fun, huh? For some reason this seemed like something you'd appreciate.
Okay, first of all, Dyngus Day? It sounds like a mix between dingleberry and dufus—I love it!
Second of all, pussy willows?
YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE PUSSY WILLOWS!
From Tracy's blog post today:
Every Easter, when my in-laws leave our house to return to Buffalo, they wish us a Happy Dyngus Day. I've asked my husband about Dyngus Day, and he gives me vague explanations of people hitting each other with pussy willows.
I mean, how fabulous is that? And yet, there's still more...
The annual celebration is held in Buffalo the Monday after Easter. On Dyngus Day, men and boys flirtatiously swat women and girls with pussy willows and squirt them with squirt guns.
Yep. Not only are there pussy willows-a-plenty, but people get wet, too.
Omg, I can't believe something like this exists. And I can't believe I'm not there.
Oh! And check this out from the official Dyngus Day Buffalo website:
Close-up:
Yes, "Brought Together By Dyngus, Couple Married During a Pussy Willow Filled Ceremony."
I can't tell you how happy this has made me. They need a Dyngus Day Queen. Does anyone know if they have one? I'm going to campaign for the position next year.
To thank Tracy for bringing Dyngus Day to our attention, please vote for her in this year's Pillsbury Bake-Off. You do remember she's a finalist, right? Yes, out of the tens of thousands of people who entered this year's contest, she's been chosen to be one of 100 finalists. The big contest is in April; here's a link to her recipe, Jalapeño Popper Cups.
They look good, don't they? And they are!
You have to register to vote, but it's the least you could do for the woman who has no doubt brightened your Monday.
Thank you, Tracy!
Reader Comments (20)
Since people call me a dyngus already, even so far as call me the Dyngus King, I suppose I could share the spotlight with a queen.
But you must behave. It's tough enough being a Dyngus.
I've always had a mild infatuation with pussy willows, now I know why.
ok...this holiday needs to come to chicago...NOW.
I totally voted for your Tracy's recipe. I actually made them for the superbowl and they were fab! I first saw the recipe on your blog and thought I'd give them a try. Everyone loved them!
Just think what a better world this would be if we all could partake in Dyngus day.
You just crack me up!! If we lived in the same city, we would so be friends!
Karyn, my step-sis,
I think you should come out this way next year ... we can take a drive to partake in Dyngus Day. I so want to be swatted with pussy willows. And I do think you should be Dyngus queen. Thanks for the plug, and thanks to Jade for the vote.
XO
I just voted for Tracy's recipe also. This sounds like my next contribution to a family dinner. I think even I can do this.
;)
Good Luck.
I vaguely remember voting for Tracy a while ago too. I get confused over food contests.
And a plug:
I just got through writing a blog about a friend who is raising money for Relay for life and am inviting people to join us in June at the walk. Even you Karyn....
I LOVE Dyngus Day! I used to travel up every year from Connecticut, but can't this year due to work. It's so much fun! Polkas are fun!
Wet pussy willow fun! Ha. Sorry.
Those jalapeno poppers look amaaaaazing and carbo-riffic. I want to be a taste tester or judge at one of those.
i had never heard of dyngus day until i read it elsewhere today, haha. i love it though, this holiday should come to california, that'd be hilarious.
I live in Buffalo and it was SO funny you blogged about this! There's actually a parade here for Dyngus Day (which I missed as I had a Dr. appt). I'll send you the news coverage when I get the paper tonight!
I'm in Albany and we have dynguses but no day to honor them. LOL!
NO WAY! This is all too fascinating! I love the pussy willow element, if only I had known in time.
My life is complete knowing about Dyngus day. We actually have marshes that have real pussy willows. Next year they may lock me away in a mental hospital, but it wouldn't be the first time, and once I explain it and google it, they should let me go, don't ya think?
That is hilarious. And when do we get to go around and whip men with tree branches to "flirt" with them?
I live in Buffalo. Yesterday my co worker wacked me with a pussy willow. I didn't think it was odd.
I always assumed Dyngus Day celebrated everywhere. Oh yes and you get to drink all day...
When my uncle was 4 he got a pussy willow stuck up his nose. My grandmother told him it was a flower, so he wanted to see what it smelled like. He sniffed and sniffed and got very frustrated when he couldn't detect the scent. He finally took one HUGE sniff and one of the buds (is that what you call them??) dislodged and went right up his nose.
He had to go to the hospital to get it removed. This means that in 1961, my Grandmother had to run into the emergency room yelling "My son has a pussy willow stuck up his nose!!!"
True story.
Dawn in NJ... I just laughed out loud at your comment.
what a cool recipe!