Miss Czech-Slovak U.S. First Runner-up Isabel Sherman of Iowa welcomes visitors to Czech Goulash Day on Sept. 28, 2025, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — An annual festival drew crowds during an unseasonably warm day, as Czech Goulash Day returned to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.

The festival, on Sept. 28, 2025, featured its namesake goulash — a type of beef stew — along with popular Czech kolaches handmade by the experienced bakers of St. Monica’s Circle.

Raffles, bingo, a Kids Zone and live entertainment by the Iowa Accordion Club, Barefoot Becky and other groups also were featured during the event, at 1224 Fifth St. SE, Cedar Rapids.

Czech goulash was among the food options during the annual Czech Goulash Day in Cedar Rapids. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Temperatures rose to nearly 90 degrees, but a shaded “big top” tent helped keep performers and visitors cool.

Graham Mobley was one of the people portraying St. Wenceslaus, and members of the Czech Royal Court, along with Miss Czech-Slovak U.S. First Runner-up Isabel Sherman, of Iowa, also made appearances.

Volunteers gave tours of the 1904-built church, with a nearly 350-pound pumpkin placed outside and carved with the Czech words “Vitame Vas,” to welcome visitors to the festival.

See photos from the 2024 festival and more from this year’s Czech Goulash Day, below: