Tabor Czech Days return
Posted: Tuesday, June 17, 2008
TABOR, S.D. -- The little town of 400 people will host the 60th annual Czech Days celebration Thursday through Saturday. The ethnic celebration has attracted as many as 10,000 people in past years. It was recently named one of the Top 20 June attractions in the nation by AAA Travel magazine. And for the second year in a row, Czech Days has been selected as one of the Five Great Events promoted by the South Dakota Department of Tourism
Mac's Carnival and Attractions on the Midway and the Craft Fair in the school gym will kick off the celebration at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. A fireworks display after the Tabor Bluebirds baseball game in Lincoln Park will conclude the first day's activities.
2007 Czech Days Queen Ashley Cuka, Princess Elyssa Walloch and Prince Brendan Bares will welcome all visitors over the three days.
A kolace and roll baking demonstration by Rita Varilen and Ann Beran will be held 3 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday at the Information Center. Other Czech-oriented programs will be presented at the center on both days,
The Tabor documentary film will be shown all three days and Sunday afternoon at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory. The Czech Days Craft Show will be held in the school gym all three days.
Quilter's Quarters on Lidice Street will host a mini quilt and wall hanging competition Friday and Saturday. An authentic Czech Pioneer Village and Museum is open to the public both days with walking tours. The Blachnik Museum is also open. A special Czech Days stamp cancellation will be held Friday at the Post Office.
Friday activities will begin at 10:45 a.m. in Vancura Memorial Park with a Memorial Service for members of the Czech Heritage Preservation Society. A non-denominational church service will follow in St. John the Baptist Pioneer Chapel, also in the park.
The giant parade will start at 1 p.m. in front of St. Wenceslaus Church, led by 2008 Parade Marshals Stan and Rita Varilek.
The opening program will be held after the parade in Sokol Park. The 2008 celebration will be dedicated to Rosie M. Lortan. The candidates for 2008 Czech Days Queen will be introduced. They are Crystal Honner, Chantelle Hovorka, Abby Hunhoff, Mallory Slama and Cindy Syrovatka.
A free concert by the Dick Zavadny Band will begin at 4 p.m., followed by the awarding of parade awards and a 5:30 concert by the Florida Polka Duo. The Bon Homme High School Bohemian Band and Polka Dance-Off Contest will start at 6:15. The Queen Candidates Talent Contest will follow at 7. The Tabor 1890 Band concert wil begin at 8, followed by the Tabor Beseda Dancers. Sue and the Blue River Czechs from Wilber, Neb., will play for the 9:15 p.m. dance at Beseda Hall.
Saturday's activities will kick off with the Genealogy Traveling Library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home. The Kiddie Parade starts at 11 a.m. The new Czech Days Prince and Princess will be selected following the Kiddie Parade. Contestants need not be in the parade but must be dressed in a Czech costume.
A variety show in Sokol Park will begin at 1 p.m. It will be followed by the Pedal Tractor Pull Competition, and the Bohemian Show and Shine Exhibit.
The Czech Polka Mass will take place at 5 p.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.
Evening activities include the bands and dancers who performed Friday, the crowning of the 2008 Czech Days Queen and the Coronation Ball, with music provided by Lou Hospodka and The Little Tavern Band from Omaha.
Mac's Carnival and Attractions on the Midway and the Craft Fair in the school gym will kick off the celebration at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. A fireworks display after the Tabor Bluebirds baseball game in Lincoln Park will conclude the first day's activities.
2007 Czech Days Queen Ashley Cuka, Princess Elyssa Walloch and Prince Brendan Bares will welcome all visitors over the three days.
A kolace and roll baking demonstration by Rita Varilen and Ann Beran will be held 3 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday at the Information Center. Other Czech-oriented programs will be presented at the center on both days,
The Tabor documentary film will be shown all three days and Sunday afternoon at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory. The Czech Days Craft Show will be held in the school gym all three days.
Quilter's Quarters on Lidice Street will host a mini quilt and wall hanging competition Friday and Saturday. An authentic Czech Pioneer Village and Museum is open to the public both days with walking tours. The Blachnik Museum is also open. A special Czech Days stamp cancellation will be held Friday at the Post Office.
Friday activities will begin at 10:45 a.m. in Vancura Memorial Park with a Memorial Service for members of the Czech Heritage Preservation Society. A non-denominational church service will follow in St. John the Baptist Pioneer Chapel, also in the park.
The giant parade will start at 1 p.m. in front of St. Wenceslaus Church, led by 2008 Parade Marshals Stan and Rita Varilek.
The opening program will be held after the parade in Sokol Park. The 2008 celebration will be dedicated to Rosie M. Lortan. The candidates for 2008 Czech Days Queen will be introduced. They are Crystal Honner, Chantelle Hovorka, Abby Hunhoff, Mallory Slama and Cindy Syrovatka.
A free concert by the Dick Zavadny Band will begin at 4 p.m., followed by the awarding of parade awards and a 5:30 concert by the Florida Polka Duo. The Bon Homme High School Bohemian Band and Polka Dance-Off Contest will start at 6:15. The Queen Candidates Talent Contest will follow at 7. The Tabor 1890 Band concert wil begin at 8, followed by the Tabor Beseda Dancers. Sue and the Blue River Czechs from Wilber, Neb., will play for the 9:15 p.m. dance at Beseda Hall.
Saturday's activities will kick off with the Genealogy Traveling Library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home. The Kiddie Parade starts at 11 a.m. The new Czech Days Prince and Princess will be selected following the Kiddie Parade. Contestants need not be in the parade but must be dressed in a Czech costume.
A variety show in Sokol Park will begin at 1 p.m. It will be followed by the Pedal Tractor Pull Competition, and the Bohemian Show and Shine Exhibit.
The Czech Polka Mass will take place at 5 p.m. at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.
Evening activities include the bands and dancers who performed Friday, the crowning of the 2008 Czech Days Queen and the Coronation Ball, with music provided by Lou Hospodka and The Little Tavern Band from Omaha.
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