(upbeat music) - [Aric Voiceover] On this trip across Indiana, we travel to Whiting to revisit our old friend, the Pierogi, a dumpling that originates from Eastern Europe.

Now, the exact origin of the pierogi is politely disputed but the word pierogi first appeared in Polish cookbooks, late in the 17th century.

By the 1900s, pierogis immigrated with steel workers, right here to Whiting, Indiana.

(upbeat music) (crowds chattering joyfully) And eventually, a party called Pierogi Festival broke out.

- [Aric] What does that mean?

- Yeah, I don't know.

It just means.

- Pierogis.

- Oh, okay.

Do you think these are nice Pierogis?

- Yeah.

- Yes.

- [Aric Voiceover] "Across Indiana" was there in 2007 to join in the celebration.

- Have you heard of "Across Indiana"?

- I don't think so.

- [Aric Voiceover] Back then, I didn't know what a pierogi was.

- Pasta filled with something, most traditionally potatoes, but you can also fill it with other things.

- But as usual, know-it-all intern, Leana, did know.

- I'll take a meat pierogi.

(bell dinging) - [Aric Voiceover] That was 15 years ago.

- For the record.

(bell dinging) (upbeat music) - [Aric Voiceover] A lot has changed.

Intern Leana now travels the world, making lucrative business deals and even uses a briefcase.

I now live in my parents' basement but things are looking up.

Pierogi Fest is exploding onto the scene like never before.

With more pierogis, more polka, more babushkas, more fun.

This is Tom.

He's the guy in charge.

- People love it.

It's an opportunity to celebrate heritage and it's an opportunity to celebrate a kind of a return of your roots.

- [Aric Voiceover] Getting back to our roots is exactly what I had in mind.

(hip hop music) - This is one of the largest events in the state of Indiana.

It draws hundreds of thousands of people to our little town each year for our two and a half days of fun and entertainment and great food.

- [Aric Voiceover] On the last trip, Leana really hit it off with Mr. Pierogi and went to go look for him.

- [Tom] Anything goes.

That's what makes Pierogi Fest is what it is.

- [Aric Voiceover] I wanted to find my one true pierogi.

Last time, I overdid it.

So Whiting, Indiana, if you could only have one pierogi, what would it be?

- What's your favorite pierogi?

- I haven't had one yet.

- Oh man.

Okay.

- There's a lot of different varieties when it comes to pierogis.

- Sweet cheese.

- Blueberry.

- Potato and chicken.

- Typically, it was meat but I just found these that are trout, onion, and bacon and I'm very curious now.

- Nobody in this group has tried a pierogi.

- [Aric Voiceover] Most people think these are good.

- These are good.

- [Aric Voiceover] A lot of you said cheese.

- Cheese.

- Cheese is good.

How about you?

- I like cheese.

- Cheese.

We've got two cheese fans.

Okay.

- [Aric Voiceover] Many said potato.

- We have to say the potato pierogi.

- Well, it's so good.

- Probably potato and cheese.

- [Aric Voiceover] But most of you went with potato and cheese.

- Potato and cheese, for sure.

- Potato and cheese.

- [Aric Voiceover] Leading me to a festival favorite.

The center lounge potato and cheddar.

- So you're gonna have one and you're gonna have ours.

Three potato cheddar.

- Everyone seems to like the potato and cheese but does it matter what cheese it is?

- Yes, it does.

- Oh yeah.

- Thank you very much.

- That's good.

- [Aric Voiceover] Sometimes the classics are the best.

- Come on down and see us.

We're here year round.

- So you can get Pierogis anytime?

- Yes, you can here.

- [Aric Voiceover] Pierogi Fest is definitely the best place to try lots of pierogis.

I mean, look at this line I skipped.

And if you miss the festival, Karen at the center lounge will hook you up anytime.

I'm supposed to meet Leana over at the Polka parade.

I wonder if she ever found her favorite pierogi.

Is that him?

No.

Looks like he's avoiding her.

Guess she was dumped by a dumpling.

(water streaming) (upbeat music) Find more stories at wfyi.org/acrossindiana.