Elmira Heights, NY
Elmira Heights, New York and St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church know their pierogies. Every other Friday from September to May, the parishioners at the church make and sell at least 2000 pierogies. And during the Christmas and Lenten seasons, that amount doubles. But the biggest event of the year by far is their annual St. Nicholas Ukrainian Festival, where over 16,000 pierogies are served. As an homage to the pierogy and those who make them, some years ago a couple of local high schoolers made up a song to the “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” tune:
    Roll, roll, roll the dough
    Gently with a pin
    Cut the dough with a cup
    Put potatoes in.

    Pinch, pinch, pinch the dough
    Gently with your tips
    Butter them up, onions too
    Slide ‘em through your lips.

    Eat, eat, eat ‘em up
    Just ten cents a piece
    Father MJ loves ‘em too
    When they’re fried in grease.

If named Capital of the Pierogy Pocket, Elmira Heights will use the title and prize money to continue to help the church and its ongoing community endeavors.

Click here to see pictures of Elmira Heights’ pierogy pride.
Click here to see Elmira Heights’ video.

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