I also had the pierogis at F&W Festival last year...yummy. Hope they are there this year.
And yes, kolaches are more pastry like, usually with poppy seed or raspberry filling, or cheese even.
I am from Chicago originally and am Polish so was used to my grandmother making them. Luckily DH has the family recipes and still makes them.
There is now a chain restaurant called "The Kolache Factory" which has something resembling kolaches in a fast food style. Not like the real thing, but not bad.