New London — Ted Pas grew up with polka music. But his wife, Judy Pas, did not.

"Judy didn't, but when we started dating, I asked her to a polka dance and she said yes," Pas said.

"I'd never polkaed before," Judy Pas added. "It was nice. It was fun."

Fifty-four years later, they're still dancing.

The couple, of West Brookfield, Mass., traveled to New London to attend the 2nd annual Ocean Beach Park Polka Days event. They said they were having a great time and getting some good exercise.

Of their dancing technique, Ted Pas said, "We've just developed our own over the years."

They were particularly pleased with the various bands performing, but couldn't pick the one they liked the most.

"The one that's playing is the favorite one," Ted said, laughing, while the two sat on a picnic table under the pavilion at the park — a quick reprieve before getting back on their feet and dancing again.

Richie Dombrowski of Polka Country Enterprises, which put on the festival, said attendees came from 26 states and Canada, and from as far away as Sweden.

Polka Country Enterprises put on the event for the first time last year to bring back the beloved "Pillar Polkabration," an 11-day event started by Dick Pillar of Montville.

When Dombrowski was in kindergarten, he was in a Polish dance group and performed on the boardwalk at the Polkabration.

"It's ethnic," Dombrowski, who is originally from Norwich, said. "It's what we were brought up with as kids. It's something that we always heard, so we're carrying on the tradition of what the families have always done."

Many in attendance knew each other from meeting at other polka festivals around the country. Several of the bands also brought large followings.

"It's an upper. I can tell you that," Dombrowski said of the fast-paced Polish dance. "Very lively."

Maryann Grzywna, who said she's "100 percent Polish," grew up listening to her dad play Polish music on the radio and on their record player. She is originally from Three Rivers, Mass., known as the polka capital of New England.

"The music is excellent," Grzywna, now of Wethersfield, said.

People of all ages crowded around the stage under the pavilion, and various couples could be seen dancing all around them. Feet moved frantically as the music got faster.

Dombrowski explained that there's a New England step, which is "a little bit quicker styled beat," and a Chicago step, which "is a little bit more laid back." Those that are "really into" polka do the Chicago-style, he said.

Pat Walor, 92, of Franklin, Mass., an Army veteran who earned a Purple Heart, said he's been dancing all of his life.

"When I used to go dancing, I never sat down," said Walor, who now uses a motorized scooter. "Only memories now."

Walor said he planned to get up and dance with his daughter, who he said helps to hold him up, for a little while when the event moved from the pavilion to the ballroom.

Next year's dates already are set and nine bands already are booked, Dombrowski said. The 3rd annual Ocean Beach Park Polka Days will be held from June 22-25.

j.bergman@theday.com

Twitter: @JuliaSBergman