April 29, 2009 09:08 am
—
Prague will celebrate the 50th Kolache Festival on Saturday, May 2. Local organizations, churches and the bakery have been busy preparing thousands of kolaches for the upcoming festival. Visitors are welcome to the small community to enjoy the Czech celebration which features the fruit pastry, named for the event. Varieties of kolaches include cherry, apricot, poppyseed, apple, prune, strawberry, pineapple and cream cheese.
The first Kolache Festival was held in 1951 and was a dress rehearsal for the 50th anniversary of the town the following year on May 20, 1952. The festival continued for five years, at which time a 10 year lapse occurred. The annual festival once again started in 1965 and has continued to become one of the top festivals in the state.
The theme of the festival this year is “Bohemian Block Party” and will be carried out during the 11 a.m. parade, which features floats, the ever popular India Temple Shriner units from OKC, and many other attractions.
Czech costumes are adorned with sequined velvet vests, embroidered large puffy sleeves, and decorated white aprons over a brightly colored skirt. These costumes will be showcased during the Czech costume judging contest and by the Prague Czech Folk Dancers who perform at 10:30 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. at the grandstand. The royalty contestants are also dressed in the native costumes and the winners of the queen, jr. queen, princess and prince titles revealed at 6:00 p.m.
Featured attractions at the festival include a bicycle stunt team from Texas that will have three shows at 10 a.m., 1:00 and 2:30 p.m. at the Ace Hardware parking lot; High Speed Boom, a 70’s classic rock band from OKC named the top cover band by Oklahoma Gazette; and the Jim Green Magic Show set up one block west of the stoplight to perform all afternoon.
Free entertainment will be going on all afternoon at two stages, with free inflatables for the children at the grandstand by Sonic.
Entertainment schedule at the main grandstand:
10:30- Prague Czech Folk Dancers
10:50- American National Anthem and Czech National Anthem
11:00- Parade
12:30- Preview of Events, Food & Wine Contest Winners and Parade Winners announced
12:40- Prague Czech Folk Dancers
1:00- Czech Costume Judging (ages 5 yrs.-adults)
1:45- Dream Catchers Dance Co.
2:15- Red River Band
2:45- All About Irish Dance Troupe
3:15- High Speed Boom Band
3:45- Jim Paul Dancers
4:15- High Speed Boom Band
4:45- Rob Winchester
5:00- Beseda Dancers (Czech Dance)
6:00- Royalty Crowning
6:45- Kolache Eating Contest
7:00- Polka Street Dance by Masopust Band
10:00- Fireworks
A Food & Wine Contest is open to the public. Everyone is invited to bring homemade kolaches, bread and wine to Park Pavilion #1 for bragging rights, plus prize money and trophies. Contest judging is at 10 a.m. and Best of Show receives $250. Complete details are available on the website at praguekolachefestival.com.
Other activities include an Arts & Crafts Show at BancFirst parking lot, carnival, Czech import items of cut crystal vases, stemware, embroidery and trim, a Beer Garden with music by a DJ, Wine & Gourmet Food Pavilion with a live polka band playing from 2:00-4:00 and four wineries, 20 food booths and other vendors. All activities are located along Main Street (Highway 62).
The evening is highlighted with a Polka Street Dance with a lively Czech band providing the music. The dancing includes several different types of folk dances which are easy to learn; just watch the crowd and follow along. At the conclusion of the dance is a beautiful fireworks display.
Come bring the whole family for an enjoyable time for adults as well as children.
Prague is located about 50 miles east of Oklahoma City on Highways 99 and 62. Exit off I-40 at mile marker 200, then go 7 miles north.
For further information, phone the festival office 405-567-4866 or www.praguekolachefestival.com.
Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.