The Chicago Society's Sledz is a Mardi Gras party with a Polish flavor held on Tuesday, just prior to Ash Wednesday and the start of the Lenten season. Traditionally, it was the last chance to "let off some steam" before fasting and sacrifice.

Among the features of the Sledz is a brief pageant replete with representations of Father Time, an angel, the devil, king and queen, and pallbearers carrying the sledz [herring].

A "St. Joseph," a senior and particularly active member who acts as a sort of chaplain throughout the year, is anointed by the prior year's St. Joseph and gives his blessing to the guests.

There's music, of course, and it was provided in excellent measure this year by the Bristol Connection.

The event was held at the Mirage of the Sheraton Four Seasons in Schiller Park, Illinois, where a meal of fish or meat, according to the choice of the guests, was served, preceded by herring and followed by paczki.

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