CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — After a winter “slumber,” North America’s only astronomical clock will “reawaken” this Thursday, March 20, 2025, the first day of spring. The Buresh Immigration Clock Tower, located at the entrance of Czech Village on 16th Avenue SW, has been quiet during the cold Iowa winter, but the figurines will once again […]
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Tag: Czech Village
Cedar Rapids plans to remove Czech Villa...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — As the city of Cedar Rapids moves forward with plans to make major changes to the Czech Village area, some pieces of its past will be removed. Sidewalk tiles, advertising former Czech Village businesses and organizations, will be removed from a pedestrian walkway next to the former Sykora Bakery, 73 16th […]
Czech holiday tradition celebrated in Ce...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A Czech holiday known as Svatý Mikuláš was marked on its traditional day on Dec. 6, 2024, in Czech Village. The tradition, known in the United States as St. Nicholas Day, is celebrated in the Czech Republic on Dec. 6, while Czech Village in Cedar Rapids has long held its annual […]
See Czech clock tower figurines in Cedar...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The hand-carved figurines that have captivated passersby since the new Buresh Immigration Clock Tower was unveiled this year in Czech Village will take a winter nap after this weekend. During the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library’s annual Old World Christmas Market, on Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, […]
Iconic ghost sign disappears from Czech ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A painted sign seen by generations in Czech Village has disappeared from its prominent position on the side of the Sykora Bakery building. Extolling the benefits of Sykora’s bread, the sign on the bakery at 73 16th Ave. SW, encouraged customers to “Eat our famous rye for health.” The painted advertisement […]
Past owners restore piece of Sykora Bake...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Auction lot No. 219 was mislabeled as a coffee bean grinder, but Don and Sheila Janda knew exactly what it was. As owners of the iconic Sykora Bakery in Czech Village during the 1990s, the couple regularly used the metal device to crush poppy seed for their kolaches, a beloved Czech […]
Inside the immigrant clock tower transfo...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Visitors to BrewNost will see a sneak peek of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library’s transformed clock tower on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. The Prague-style astronomical clock, or orloj, includes 12 figurines symbolizing immigration that were installed this week, hand-carved by Slovak artist Andrej Haršány, of Borová, a village […]
Museum plans reprise of Czech and Slovak...
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 […]
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 […]