'We've had lots of fun through the years': Generations of musicians perform at PolkaFest

Dave Sutor, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa.
·2 min read

Jun. 4—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Rosie and the Jammers played at the inaugural PolkaFest back in 1998.

Around the same time, members of The Garrett Tatano Band, who are all now between 24 and 27 years old, were just being born.

Even with the acts coming from different generations, they share a passion for polka music that was celebrated at Peoples Natural Gas Park on Saturday during the 25th PolkaFest which is now sponsored by 1st Summit Bank.

"It means a lot to me," said Rosie Sida, founder of Rosie and the Jammers, a Johnstown-based band. "I was at the beginning. We started at (Central Park) and it has blown up to what it is today. We have met so many people from throughout the country, all walks of life, and we've had lots of fun through the years."

Looking to the future of the event, Sida said, "It is great that we are keeping this going, and we'll keep it going as long as we can."

Her band has played at PolkaFest every year.

This was the first performance at the festival for The Garrett Tatano Band, although the group's namesake previously made a guest appearance on stage.

"Once I started my own band, it was my dream that someday I wanted to be at this festival," Tatano said.

Tatano's interest in polka music dates back to his childhood.

"I grew up listening to polka music, started playing accordion when I was seven," he said. "I was at polka dances dancing before I could even remember. Before I could even walk, I was on the dance floor. So, for me, it's in my blood. The drummer and the bass player, their whole families are very into polka music. But our guitar player and our saxophone player, they were just friends that I just asked to come along and join on the journey with us. So, for me, it's been generational."