Celebrating 30 years of the Polka as Wisconsin’s State Dance

Wisconsin’s State Dance became official 30 years ago and there are parties to celebrate our Polka history; plus, find the local Civic Media radio station still hosting a long-time Polka show every weekend

There are Polka parties happening around Wisconsin and for a good reason — it became the state dance 30 years ago this month. Former Governor Tommy Thompson signed a bill designating the Polka as the official state dance on April 29, 1994.

Thompson made it official during a Polka party in Pulaski, in Northeast Wisconsin. Pulaski is also home to a four-day Polka celebration, which includes a parade, a Polka King and Queen crowning, dance lessons, a concertina jam session, and thousands of people from around the world enjoying hundreds of different styles of Polka bands. 2024 marks the 45th year of Pulaski Polka Days.

So, why the Polka? Really, why not!

The simple history goes back to the 1840s when the Polka became popular with Europeans. The dance made its way to America with them.

Flash forward to the early 1990s, and designations being made for the State Bird and State Flower. But a class of second graders from a Madison elementary school petitioned to name the State Dance as the Polka. What started as a lesson in government, turned into a movement with the students talking to lawmakers about it. The Wisconsin Polka Boosters group and State Folk Museum supported the efforts by providing documentation of Polka history including evidence the dance is deeply ingrained in Wisconsin culture.

Polka can also be found as part of family culture with many bands made up of relatives. Steve Meisner is one of Wisconsin’s best examples. The Whitewater-based musician was considered a Polka virtuoso at age five, playing often with his father’s orchestra. Steve carried on his father’s love for sharing Polkas, traveling the world, and being the first Polka musician to win a Wisconsin Area Music Industry Award, along with earning spots in the Wisconsin Polka and International Polka Society Halls of Fame. Steve passed away in 2023, but his band, The Steve Meisner Legacy Band, can be found playing shows in his honor throughout the Midwest.

Want to catch a Polka show on the radio? Local Civic Media radio station WFHR 97.5 FM and 1320 AM in Wisconsin Rapids has the “Sunshine Polka Show” hosted by The Polka Guy Timm Hauboldt every Saturday morning from 7 to 8. It repeats on Sunday afternoon between 1 and 2. You can also catch it via WFHR on the Civic Media app.

Enjoy! And happy Polka dancing!