The 55th Annual International Polka Festival will begin Aug. 31 in Cranberry Township with a Kick-Off Polka Party.

The event will be held at the Cranberry Elks Lodge 2249, 20720 Route 19, from 7 to 10 p.m., featuring Grammy Award-winner the Alex Meixner Band.

Tickets are $17 per person, with a limited number available for the performance. All proceeds will benefit the Elks Lodge, and drinks will be available for purchase.

The kick off will be followed by the three-day polka festival at the DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh-Cranberry, 910 Sheraton Drive, Mars.

Friday, Sept. 1, will feature a welcome party from 1 to 4 p.m. with music by Old School. There will then be performances from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. by the Garrett Tatano Band, Lenny Gomulka and Chicago Push and New Brass Express.

Saturday, Sept. 2, will begin with a pool party and a performance by Tony Blazonczyk’s New Phaze from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Performances from 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. will feature the IPA Tribute Band, Klancnik and Friends and Michael Costa and The Beat.

Sunday, Sept. 3 will open with a Polka Mass and music by The Kosmix at 10 a.m., which will be followed by the annual election of officers convention meeting for members only. A pool party with music by Phocus will then run from 12-3 p.m., and performances will run from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. by Dennis Polisky and The Maestro’s Men, John Gora and Gorale, Polka Country Musicians and the Polka Family Band.

Saturday and Sunday’s events will also feature a live radio broadcast by the Polka Jammer Network.

Tickets for the kick-off party can be purchased by contacting Chris Bogdon by calling (412) 260-9725 or emailing chris@bogdonfamily.com.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the three day festival, visit ipapolkas.com.