The Czech Heritage Foundation’s Czech Royal Court is shown on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Last year, I had a blast at the Wilber Czech Days in Nebraska, so I was disappointed to have to miss the festival this past weekend.

Still, it wasn’t long before another opportunity for “Czechtivity” came along, as I like to call Czech activities in our area.

Czech Heritage Foundation President John Rocarek speaks on the terrace of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

The Czech Heritage Foundation‘s annual picnic was held tonight on the terrace of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Pork, sauerkraut, dumplings and kolaches were all on the menu, as well as other dishes made by the wonderful babis, dedas and others who belong to the organization.

The group’s mission is to preserve, celebrate and maintain the rich culture of the Czech community for future generations. They do so by sponsoring the Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa pageant and the Czech Royal Court, as well as scholarships for students of Czech and Slovak descent and the revival this year of the Homestay Program in the Czech Republic.

All of those facets were recognized at tonight’s potluck picnic. See images from other “Czechtivity” in Cedar Rapids and more photos from today’s event, below:

Members of the Czech Heritage Foundation enjoyed a potluck picnic at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

A display by this year’s Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa, Linda Babinat is shown during the annual Czech Heritage Foundation potluck. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Students who returned from the Czech Republic during the Homestay Program were recognized at the annual picnic. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Members of the Czech Royal Court were introduced during the annual picnic on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Lee Thornbloom, left, introduced this year’s Czech Heritage Foundation scholarship winners. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Three Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa queens also were recognized at the Czech Heritage Foundation’s annual potluck picnic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)

Sponsoring the Czech Royal Court is one of the ways the Czech Heritage Foundation supports its mission of preserving, celebrating and maintaining the rich culture of the Czech community for future generations. (photo/Cindy Hadish)