Thank you to all Polish Summer Picnic attendees, volunteers, vendors and sponsors!
About TAPS
History
The Toledo Area Polka Society was founded in 1982 when a group of polka enthusiasts first met in a garage in Oregon, Ohio to develop greater interest in polka dancing, to promote fellowship among polka music fans, and to secure nationally known talent in the polka music industry. The membership officially formed in 1983.
In the early days, TAPS events were held in various locations throughout the Toledo area, including Argonne Post American Legion Hall in Toledo, DC Ranch in Perrysburg, FOE Aerie 197 Hall in Toledo, Conn-Weissenberger American Legion Hall in Toledo, PRCUA Misiuda Hall in North Toledo and Oak Shade Grove Hall in Oregon, Ohio.
Today, TAPS dances are held at the Conn-Weissenberger American Legion Hall in Toledo and Oak Shade Grove Hall in Oregon. The TAPS Annual Polish Summer Picnic is held at Oak Shade Grove Pavilion in Oregon, Ohio which has evolved into a must-attend event.
Highlights of the first decades of TAPS included the TAPS. Polka Days in the mid-80s, a three-day affair held at DC Ranch, which featured a dance seminar, the Ohio State Polka Championships, and, of course, local polka bands. Other events in these early years included monthly themed dances, costume contests, and summer member appreciation picnics.
Over the years, TAPS has continued to host not only themed dances featuring the best in live polka music, but also several special events, including bus trips to locations such as the Summer Music Fest in Frankenmuth, Polka Fireworks at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, and the Wheeling Polka Festival.
Toledo Area Polka Society was formed as a non-profit organization and is operated, in part, for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501c3 of the IRS. Today, the mission of TAPS is to promote and support live polka music, to encourage participation in club social functions, and to actively recruit new members into the society. TAPS continues to further this mission by hosting dances several months throughout the year, scheduling bus trips to out-of-town events, and presenting the Annual Polish Summer Picnic. The members of TAPS also belong to other organizations, both in Toledo as well as the surrounding areas, which have an interest in Polish music and Polish heritage. TAPS supports these organizations through donations, advertisement, participation, patronage and volunteerism.