18th Annual Kolache-Klobase Festival set for June 14

Playing at Kolache-Klobase Festival The Red Ravens will play for the 18th Annual Czech Kolache-Klobase Festival on June 14 at Riverside Hall in East Bernard.

The 18th Annual Czech Kolache Klobase Festival at Riverside Hall in East Bernard is right around the corner.

The June 14 event brings people together to enjoy good music and food and to celebrate ethnic heritage and culture.

The festival's activities crank up at 10:30 a.m. and continue until 8 p.m.

This year's festival features a first-rate lineup of musical entertainers.

That list includes the Vrazels' Polka Band who will be making their last appearance in East Bernard. Brothers Alfred and Anton Vrazel announced the retirement of the band, which has been playing for 55 years, in April.

They'll be joined by East Bernard's own Dujka Brothers, Mark and John.

Also taking the stage will be Mark Halata and Texavia, The Red Ravens, Shiner Hobo Band, Al Sulak's Country Sounds, and Legacy of East Bernard.

There will again be three bands featured on the stage at one time so that dancers and listeners can enjoy a giant concert at 4:30 p.m.

Festival admission will be $7 per person with children 12 and under admitted free.

The admission fee covers all entertainment and music provided by bands and entertainers in the hall and outdoors at the pavilion.

Arts and crafts booths will be located both inside and outside the hall. Crafts and goods of every kind will be available for sale.

There will also be beautiful crystal and ethnic souvenirs from the Czech Republic along with a variety of hand-crafted items, jewelry and clothing.

Entertainment is also planned for the younger set. Kid games and activities will keep the youngsters occupied.

They will also enjoy a performance at 12:30 p.m. by students from East Bernard Dance/Tumbling and Cloggers. These students are under the direction Tina Dorotik.

Czech costumed students from the Keller Academy of Performing Arts of East Bernard will also perform some typical Czech folk dances at 3:30 p.m. The Academy students are under the direction of Tanya Keller.

A home-cooked plate lunch will be served again this year featuring sausage, barbecue chicken, sauerkraut and other trimmings.

The sausage and chicken will be prepared on site the morning of the festival assuring a fresh cooked meal. Serving will begin at 11:00 a.m.

This year, drive through plates to go will be offered from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meal tickets are available at several local businesses.

Advance meal tickets for drive through plates are encouraged but not required. Festival admission will not be charged for drive through plate customers.

Of course, there will be hundreds of kolaches for sale throughout the day.

And, as in prior years, hamburgers and sausage boats will be available in the afternoon.

A patriotic flag tribute and grand march scheduled at 3 p.m. will honoring our veterans and include an Honor Guard and "Uncle Sam".

KJT Society No. 40, the festival sponsor, is a non-profit organization and has been in existence in East Bernard since 1905.

For general information and band schedules, call 335-7907.

Visit the festival Web site at www.kkfest.com for further information.