The Houby Days 2015 morel mushroom contest in Cedar Rapids brought out several contenders for largest morel, as well as other categories. The winner, shown in the glass jar, was entered by Francis King and measured 10 inches. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
CEDAR RAPIDS – For a weekend predicted to be marred by rain and even severe storms, the weather turned out to be nearly perfect for Houby Days in Czech Village.
Houby is the Czech word for mushroom and morel fans could find mushrooms in the houby breakfast and other foods sold on 16th Avenue, as well as morels for sale from the Czech Village Association.
This year’s winner for the largest morel was a 10-inch mushroom found by Francis King in rural Belle Plaine. Other trophies were awarded for the smallest, most unusual and best display.
The Houby Days Parade returned to the 2015 festival, with sponsorship by the Czech Heritage Foundation and participation by the Cedar Rapids Czech School, Sokol Cedar Rapids, CSA Prokop Velkey and other Czech organizations.
This weekend also marked the crowning of a new Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa and new Czech Royal Court. Find images from all three days of the festival here:
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