National Czech Festival

Czech Festival, National

First full weekend in AugustThe town of Wilber, Nebraska, site of the annual Czech Festival, has been designated by the U.S. Congress as the "Czech Capital of America." Patterned after the well-known Pennsylvania Dutch Festival in Kutztown ( see Kutztown Festival), the purpose of the festival is to recognize contributions of Czech immigrants and to foster Czech culture.
Folk dance groups come from all over the state, and local residents wear Czech costumes and dance the beseda, or polka, in the streets. Foods prepared by the town's residents and served at the festival include a number of Czech specialties, such as roast duck, sauerkraut, dumplings, and kolaches (sweet buns). There is even a kolache-eating contest.
On the second day of the festival, awards are presented for special achievements in promoting both Nebraska and Czech culture.
CONTACTS:
City of Wilber
101 W. 3rd
Wilber, NE 68465
800-494-5237 or 402-821-3233
www.ci.wilber.ne.us
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave. S.E.
Washington, DC 20540
202-707-5000; fax: 202-707-2076
www.loc.gov
SOURCES:
GdUSFest-1984, p. 112
(c)