Delegations from 24 villages in the Bolesławiec Municipality, together with their harvest wreaths, arrived at the sports field before noon. Everyone was welcomed by Bolesławiec Municipality Mayor Andrzej Dutkowski, together with Bolesławiec Municipality Council Chairman Bogusław Uziej. At that time, the “Bolesławiec” Municipal Brass Band signalled the start of the ceremony as it marched through Brzeźnik.
Once the delegations had taken their places and their wreaths had been set up beside the stage, the Harvest Festival Mass began. Praying for the farmers were Rev. Stanisław Kusik, dean of the Bolesławiec West Deanery; Rev. Krzysztof Słabicki, dean of the Nowogrodziec Deanery; Rev. Andrzej Kryłowski, dean of the Bolesławiec East Deanery; and Rev. Zenon Wnuk, parish priest of the local parish. The anthem was also performed.
When the hosts, Beata Widera and Olgierd Poniźnik, had welcomed all the guests, the municipality mayor spoke, focusing primarily on the hardships of farmers’ work and addressing the village residents warmly. They had agreed without hesitation to organise the Harvest Festival. He then joined the village head and Bolesławiec Municipality councillor Krystyna Wójtowicz in giving the signal to begin the celebration.
The hosts then proceeded together in the Harvest Procession, presenting their wreath. The village representatives, Alina Zarembecka and Sebastian Nieradka, presented a loaf of bread to the mayor, who promised to share it fairly.
Before the artistic programme began, farmers who had been honoured with “Meritorious for Agriculture” medals were also recognised. The medals were presented by Zofia Czernow, Member of the Sejm of the Republic of Poland, Cezary Przybylski, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, and Mayor Andrzej Dutkowski.
But that was not the end of the important events. This time, it was the turn of the firefighters from the Volunteer Fire Service in Brzeźnik. In recognition of their devoted fight against fire and the forces of nature, and for saving people’s health, lives and property in accidents, disasters and various emergencies, an official vehicle handover document was presented to Jan Kulczycki, president of the Brzeźnik Volunteer Fire Service. The keys to the new Mercedes-Benz rescue and firefighting vehicle were presented by the municipality mayor, Senior Brigadier Adam Konieczny, Lower Silesian Provincial Commander of the State Fire Service in Wrocław, and Zdzisław Rzewuski, director of the Provincial Branch of the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management in Jelenia Góra. They were received by Andrzej Sokalski, chief of the local Volunteer Fire Service, and Kamila Burdzy, the driver.
The artistic programme began with the Bolesławiec Land Song and Dance Ensemble and the “Jutrzenka” Municipal Song and Dance Ensemble. There were also competitions and games for the audience, in which participants had to demonstrate their knowledge of farm animals, accuracy and technical skills.
The competition for the Most Beautiful Harvest Festival Decoration was also decided. The winners of the competition organised by KRUS and the “Wildflowers” competition for the youngest participants were announced as well. Meanwhile, the delegations began awarding points for the wreaths. After the points were counted, it turned out that, in their opinion, the most beautiful wreath had been made in Kraśnik Dolny. For the first time, no third place was awarded, while Nowa Wieś and Żeliszów shared second place.
At around 7:00 p.m., the long-awaited star appeared on the harvest festival stage: the band CLASSIC. The group performed its greatest hits, captivating the large crowd gathered in front of the stage. The band, celebrating its anniversary this year, received a ceramic vase bearing the municipality’s coat of arms as a gift from Deputy Mayor Roman Jaworski and the village head and harvest festival representative.
The Harvest Festival ended with a dance party that continued until late at night.