CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Members of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church continued their longtime tradition of Czech Goulash Day, even as the parish was one of many in Iowa undergoing monumental changes this year. Rain stayed at bay for the annual festival held Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, on the church grounds at 1224 Fifth St. SE, […]
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Tag: Czech
True crime: From award-winning architect...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Preservationists sometimes refer to the demolition of significant buildings as “truly criminal,” a phrase that has added meaning with the ruin of an iconic mid-Century building in northeast Cedar Rapids. Built as headquarters for the Western Fraternal Life Association (WFLA) in 1958, the award-winning building at 1900 First Ave. NE was […]
Czech festival celebrating beloved kolac...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The annual Kolach Festival is underway from June 12-14 at St. Ludmila Catholic Church. Celebrating the beloved Czech fruit-filled pastries, the festival begins Friday, June 12, from 5-9 p.m. on the church grounds at 211 21st Ave. SW. See photos from a past kolache bake. The festival continues from 10 a.m. […]
New marquee sign reflects the past, illu...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — CSPS celebrated reaching its State of the Art campaign goal by illuminating a new marquee sign at the historic Czech hall in New Bohemia. With a $150,000 matching gift from the Hall-Perrine Foundation, the arts and cultural center, at 1103 Third St. SE, surpassed its $300,000 goal, leaders announced during the […]
Czech ‘Three Ice Kings’ legend provides
Iowa gardeners have been on a roller coaster this spring, with record high temperatures followed by a blizzard in March, and a similar — though less drastic — situation on the way. According to weather forecasts, temperatures that reached the 80s this week will dip below freezing this weekend. The wild weather swings make the […]
Czech festival photos in Cedar Rapids, I...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — An annual festival drew crowds during an unseasonably warm day, as Czech Goulash Day returned to St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church. The festival, on Sept. 28, 2025, featured its namesake goulash — a type of beef stew — along with popular Czech kolaches handmade by the experienced bakers of St. Monica’s Circle. […]
Cedar Rapids festival puts spotlight on ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The long-running St. Ludmila Kolach Festival, typically held in early June, is scheduled this year for June 20-22. Kolaches, a favorite fruit-filled Czech pastry, are the highlight of the festival, which takes place on the church grounds at 211 21st Ave. SW. See photos from a past kolache bake. The 2025 […]
Gardeners tempted by warm weather should...
With warmer weather on the horizon, Iowans and others in the Midwest will be tempted to start their gardens, but a Czech legend warns against a late frost. Known under various names, including the Three Frozen Kings, the three icemen – tři ledovi muži – or Three Ice Saints, Three Frozen Men, Three Ice Kings […]
Photos: Weekend holiday celebrations in ...
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — Holiday events throughout New Bohemia and Czech Village offered an abundance of activities throughout the weekend. The annual Very Cherry Holiday, a holiday tradition since 2000, included studio and gallery tours, refreshments, a book sale, rides on the freight elevator with “Ella Vader” and “Luke Skylifter,” Christmas music by the Vintage […]
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 […]