Holly Stepanek, daughter of Tom and Sheila, was crowned Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa 2012-2013 at this year's pageant. Pageant festivities were held in conjunction with the Cedar Rapids Houby Days Festival on May 19.Holly, originally from Cedar Rapids, has completed two years of coursework at Kirkwood Community College and will study German and political science at the University of Iowa in the fall. She has been involved in her Czech heritage from a young age, attending Czech School and participating in an exchange program to the Czech Republic. For her talent, Holly performed a piano solo. She will represent Czechs and Slovaks in the state of Iowa at festivals, parades, and events throughout the year. Upon completion of her rein, she will compete in the Miss Czech-Slovak US pageant.Holly was preceded by Marissa Cada, Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa 2011-2012. Marissa will represent Iowa at the national pageant August 3-5 in Wilber, NE.
Do you have a kroj in your closet?
If you have a kroj in your closet, put it on and head down to the Houby Days Festival on Saturday, May 19 to join the Parade of Kroje!This year, the Czech Heritage Foundation along with the NCSML are organizing the annual Parade of Kroje with special guests and performances by the St. Paul Czech and Slovak Folk Dancers! This event will be held from 2:00pm - 4:00pm at the Kosek Bandstand, and will feature community members in kroje starting at approximately 3:15pm.This event is open to anyone wearing a kroj (Czech or Slovak costume). Line-up for community members will begin at 3:00pm behind the Kosek Bandstand. Participants must be be lined up by 3:10, so all of the announcers and participants are prepared and ready.If you would like to participate in the Parade of Kroje, please provide a description of your kroj to chfwebmaster@gmail.com by May 11 so that all descriptions can be compiled and provided to the announcers in advance.Please Include:Name,Address,Phone,E-mail,Description of KrojFor those who have participated in the past, the Czech Heritage Foundation should have your kroj description on file. Please contact us at chfwebmaster@gmail.com so we can ensure that your description is still accurate, and so we can make any necessary modifications.Kosek BandstandCedar Rapids, IowaSaturday May 19, 20122:00 - 4:00 pm
Houby Days Festival 2012
Celebrate the coming of spring at the annual Houby Days Festival May 18-20 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Check out the tentative schedule so you don't miss your favorite band, the parade, or any of the weekend's events!
Friday, May 18, 2012
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 5-7pm | Taste of Czech & Slovak | St. Ludmilas Church |
| 5-9pm | Vendors | 16th Avenue |
| 5-10pm | Carnival | 17th Avenue |
| 7-9pm | Czech Plus Band | Kosek Bandstand |
Saturday, May 19, 2012
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7-11am | Egg & Houby Breakfast withRon Johnson Accordionist | TBD |
| 9am | Flag Raising Ceremony | Kosek Bandstand |
| 9am-3pm | Classy Chassy Cruisers Car Show | Sokal Park |
| 9am-3pm | Houby Contest Registration | Information Tent |
| 9am-9pm | Vendors | 16th Avenue |
| 10am-12pm | Czech Plus Band | TBD |
| 10am-10pm | Carnival | 17th Avenue |
| 11am-1pm | Papa Balloon | 16th Avenue |
| 12pm | May Pole Dance | 16th Avenue |
| 1pm | Houby Days Parade | New Bo and Czech Village |
| 2pm-4pm | Parade of Kroje and St. PaulCzech/Slovak Folk Dancers | Kosek Bandstand |
| 4pm | Polka Mass | St. Wenceslaus Church |
| 5-6:30pm | Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa PageantTalent Show & Crowning Ceremony | Kosek Bandstand |
| 5-7pm | Pork and Dumpling Dinner | St. Wenceslaus Church |
| 7-10pm | Bob Dorr Band | Kosek Bandstand |
Sunday, May 20, 2012
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7-11am | Egg & Houby Breakfast | TBD |
| 9am-4pm | Vendors | 16th Avenue |
| 9-11am | Czech Heritage Band | TBD |
| 10am-5pm | Carnival | 17th Avenue |
| 11am-1pm | Gems of Hope Bike Ride | Registration at Sokal Park |
| 12-3pm | Czech Village Scavenger Hunt | Information Tent |
| 12-4pm | Face Painting | 16th Avenue |
| 12:30pm | Hawkeye Pedal Pull Registration | Information Tent |
| TBD | Cabbage Roll | 16th Avenue |
| 1-3pm | Hawkeye Pedal Pull | 16th Avenue |
| 1:30pm | Svetlusky Cedar Rapids CzechYouth Ensemble | Kosek Bandstand |
| 3pm | Eulenspiegel Puppet Theater Company | NCSML |
| 3-4pm | Staging for Children’s Parade | Sokal Park |
| 4pm | Children’s Parade | TBD |
Cultural Diversity Festival
Come visit our booth at the University of Iowa's Cultural Diversity Festival on March 31. The festival is one of the largest events on the University's campus, drawing nearly 5,000 people each year. Cultures from around the world are represented by booths, classes, and performances. This year, the Czech Heritage Foundation will have an educational display, organization publications, and Czech food and pastries.
University of Iowa Field House
Iowa City, Iowa
Sunday March 31, 2012
12:00 - 5:00 pmCost: Free
St. Joseph's Day Parade
Put on some red, grab a lawn chair, and come to New Bohemia and Czech Village in Cedar Rapids to watch Czech Heritage Foundation royalty in the annual St. Joseph's Day parade! This year the parade will follow a new route along 3rd St. in New Bohemia and 16th Ave. in Czech Village.New Bohemia & Czech VillageCedar Rapids, IowaSaturday March 24, 20121:00 pm