Glendon Reigns as Pyrogy Capital of the World
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Travel Alberta
Explore the Lakeland
Inedible but indelible
When you drive around the tiny town of Glendon, population 500 or so, it won’t take long before you spot the giant statue of a pyrogy speared by an equally large fork. It’s hard to miss. But there’s more to know about this puffy treat.
Fun fact: the fork was added later to clarify that the big white dumpling landmark was, in fact, a pyrogy. People were not sure what it was. One look at the pinched rounded edge of the giant steel and fiberglass sculpture makes us wonder what people confused it for. A melted bar of soap? Half a snowball? A pillow for bad backs?
You can’t take a bite out of fiberglass but with real pyrogies on a plate, these tasty half moons are slathered with sour cream or onions and enjoyed widely across Canada, the U.S. and other parts of the world.
Big but edible
If you haven’t yet tasted pyrogies, you are missing out on this boiled dumpling brought to Western Canada in the early 19th century by Europeans. Eventually, people started to bake or fry the unleavened dough and traditionally stuffed them with potato filling, sauerkraut, cheese or, even, fruit.
The largest edible pyrogy was made during Pierogi Fest in Indiana. Indiana spells it the traditional Polish way, pierogi. That pyrogy weighed 42 kgs, slightly bigger than the pyrogies you will find at JJ’s Snack Shack, Glendon’s bright orange food truck.
Glendon is only 213 kms northeast of Edmonton, and much closer from other towns in Alberta’s Lakeland.
Stop first at Pyrogy Park, home to the largest Pyrogy in the world. Few largest monuments stand as tall as the Pyrogy within Alberta but check out these 7 Outrageous Alberta Landmarks, including the pyrogy, for other day trips to make. The 2.7 tonnes 7.5 metre high pyrogy was unveiled August 1991, by the Official Pyrogy Committee.
Saint Hyacinth, patron saint of pyrogies
Take a few crazy pics so it looks like you are biting into the pyrogy, or your kids are holding up the perogy or, you know, do your own thing.
Right now, no other statues stand in the park, however a statue of Saint Hyacinth, well known patron saint of pyrogies, may be one the committee wants to consider. Technically, he oversees all the world’s perogies, so thank you, Hy.
What’s with the spelling?
Fun (and controversial) Fact: You’ll see pyrogy spelled perogy, pirohi, piroghi, or even pierogi, which is the original Slavic spelling, as mentioned. Glendon’s sign calls it pyrogy, which stands in Pyrogy Park, where a Pyrogy Festival is held. So, we’re sticking with that. Oh, and sometimes they are called varenyky. Don’t get us started.
Don’t touch my pyrogy
Near Pyrogy Park, stop by JJ’s Snack Shack, open seasonally. While waiting for your food, chat up owner Heather Anderson. She whips up specials such as the Cordon Bleu Burger, gluten free Chicken Zingers, or fish and chips. Vegetarian options are available—pyrogies, naturally. But, hey, you’re in the pyrogy capital of the world. So, order up Chili pyrogies, if available.
For lunch accompaniment, enjoy an accordion playing pyrogy and catchy song on the You Tube video Eat Pierogi by Mee and the Band.
How to get rich with pyrogies
While chowing down on your plate of pyrogies at JJ’s—or anywhere really—keep a sharp eye out for any images on your pyrogies. In 2005, a woman made almost $2000 on eBay after selling a pyrogy she claimed had an image of Jesus Christ seared on to the pyrogy’s side. You never know.
@GlendonDemoDerby
Explore further by walking around until you find Poachers Corner, original pyrogy factory. You may get the impression that this is a hunting store—mounts on the wall for one—and you’d be right. Hunting gear is available, but so is camping equipment, toys, clothing, stoves, paint, footwear and even a few groceries. Owners Betty and Walt Czuroski eventually turned it into what it is today, a one stop shop for many of life’s needs.
Glendon may, and often is, accessed by ATV or snowmobile from Alberta’s 300 km Iron Horse Trail, which goes right through town. One well known event to attend is the Glendon Demolition Derby and Mudbogs, held in August.