CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library has confirmed the visit of the presidents of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, echoing a monumental day that took place more than 25 years ago. On a chilly day on Oct. 21, 1995, U.S. President Bill Clinton, Czech President Václav Havel and Slovak […]
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Tag: Czech Village
Novak Plaza and Mary Kay’s Garden dedica
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Rain that drizzled down throughout a dedication ceremony in Czech Village was heaven-sent, according to guest speakers who honored the memory of Mary Kay Novak McGrath. “I think it’s obvious that Mary Kay is here, because it’s raining,” Mary Kay’s husband, Pat McGrath, said during the June 20, 2024, dedication of […]
Hawkeye Hannah Stuelke leads Houby Days ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Summer came early for Czech Village as temperatures soared into the 80s during the 46th annual Houby Days. The three-day festival, which celebrates morels (houby is the Czech word for mushrooms) began Friday, May 17, followed by a parade and other festivities on Saturday, May 18, and more to come on […]
Prague-inspired astronomical clock to tu...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Renovations to the clock tower at the edge of Czech Village will be transformational for Cedar Rapids, officials said during a ground-breaking ceremony. “This is, for the museum, a monumental day,” Cecilia Rokusek, president and CEO of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, said at the event under sunny […]
City vows bridge closure won’t deter Hou
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — As the city prepares to close the 16th Avenue Bridge of Lions once again, this time for preventive maintenance, Houby Days organizers hope the closure doesn’t rain on their parade. The annual festival, scheduled for May 17-19, 2024, in Czech Village, will honor Iowa Hawkeye women’s basketball player and former Washington […]
Cedar Rapids sets stage for new Czech Vi...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Plans are being finalized to replace the beloved Czech Village roundhouse with a new building as part of a larger development. City staff and consultants briefed a roomful of people April 10, 2024, about the updated plans for what they call the LightLine Loop. A rendering of the new Czech Village […]
End of an era as Sykora Bakery history h...
By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The final kolaches were baked months ago, as bread pans, baking sheets, mixing bowls and more from Sykora Bakery’s long history in Czech Village are auctioned online. Developer Kory Nanke, who purchased the historic Sykora building for $290,000 in December, said he was unsure what business might […]
Czech Feather & Down continues more than
By Cindy Hadish/ Homegrown Iowan CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A Czech business in the same family for more than 100 years is marking its new location in Cedar Rapids with an open house on Friday, Oct. 27. Czech Feather & Down is back on 16th Avenue SW, but quite a distance from the 16th Avenue […]
New version of beloved Czech Village rou...
By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Czech Village could have a new, smaller version of its iconic roundhouse within a few years. The roundhouse, used for farmers markets, festivals and other gatherings, opened in 1963, and was dismantled after the 2008 flood, when the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library moved to […]
Sykora Bakery reopens in Cedar Rapids Cz...
UPDATE Oct. 14, 2023: After temporarily reopening in September 2023, Sykora Bakery closed just days later. Owner Craig McCormick said he plans to reopen again, but a date has not been set. By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The kolaches and other Czech pastries are back, as Czech Village landmark Sykora Bakery has […]