Mragowo Country Picnic

The Piknik Country in Mragowo has run since 1983 and is generally described as one of the largest country and folk music festivals in Europe, which is an unlikely thing to find in the Masurian lakes but has been true for four decades. It grew out of an enthusiasm for American country music that developed in Poland in the 1970s and 1980s, and it brings performers from the United States and elsewhere alongside a large Polish country scene that most visitors do not know exists. The venue is an amphitheatre on a slope above Lake Czos, seating several thousand, with a campsite and the town below. There is a parade through Mragowo, line dancing, a rodeo element with horse events, and stalls selling boots and hats. It runs over a weekend in late July. Off-festival, Mragowo is an ordinary lakeside resort town and the amphitheatre is used for other concerts.

What to look for

• Forty years of country in Masuria - running since 1983, one of the largest such festivals in Europe.
• A hillside amphitheatre - above Lake Czos, seating several thousand.
• A parade and horse events - through the town, with line dancing and stalls.
• A Polish country scene - performers most visitors have never heard of.

When to go

Late July, over a weekend. Several days.

Practical notes

Accommodation across the Masurian lakes is scarce and expensive that weekend. The amphitheatre is open-air and wet weather is miserable. Line-ups are announced fairly late. Outside the festival there is nothing to see here.

Nearby

Mikolajki and the Great Masurian Lakes are south-east.