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, […]
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Tag: Czech Village
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 […]
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 […]