Houby Days
Two Days of Fun in The Historic Czech Village
The 47th annual Houby Days festival took place in the Historic Czech Village on May 17th and 18th. The Houby Days Festival was started by a group of Merchants in the Czech Village, and takes place on the weekend after Mothers Day every year. This years celebration was dedicated to Marj Kopecek Nejdl. Nejdl designed the the first logo for the National Czech and Slovak Museum. She also made specially decorated eggs for U.S., Czech, and Slovakian presidents. Nejdl taught many residents of the Cedar Rapids area how to decorate eggs, and has two of her eggs on display in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.
(above picture) Vendor Hongwei Lee watches his shop while attempting to sell goods during the Houby Days Festival. Lee is from St. Louis and travels the country selling hats, necklaces, toy swords, purses, and more. Next week they will be in Mason City.
A parade featuring the Miss Czech-Slovak Pageant participants took place near the Czech Heritage Foundation. The Mis Czech-Slovak Pageant is a platform for young women of Czech, Slovak, Moravian, and Silesian decent from all over the United States to showcase their talents, leadership, and cultural pride.
Miss Czech-Slovak 1st runner-up Aspen Hein waves to the crowd while participating in the Houby Days parade. Hein is from Yukon Oklahoma, and made the trip to Cedar Rapids with her mom.
Isabel Sherman, Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa, waves to the crowd during the Houby Days Parade. As Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Sherman gets to travel the country representing Iowa at various Czech-Slovak celebrations.
Representatives of CSPS (Czech and Slovak Prudential Society) march during the Houby Days Parade. CSPS began in the 1980’s as an independent performance art company helmed by Mel Adringa and F John Herbert. Since moving into the historic CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids in 1991 they have hosted musicians such as John Fahey, Joan Baez and Odetta. They have also shown the gallery works of artists such as Yoko Ono, and Andres Serrano.
Jim Piersall drives his 1970 Pontiac Judge during the Parade. Piersall bought the car from Duffy’s classic cars in Cedar Rapids.
Nancy Schmuecker (center) sells Morel Mushrooms for the Check Village Association during the Festival. Mushroom hunting is an integral part of Czech culture, and is often referred to as a national sport in the Czech Republic.
Duane Ortberg From Cedar Rapids takes a look at some of the jams for sale by one of the vendors at the Houby Days Festival on Saturday the 17th.
Luke Daniels takes a look at some of the classic cars on display during the car show at the festival.
Kalynn Troupe and her daughter Willow Troupe ride the teacups provided by H&H Fun Rides at the Houby Days Festival. H&H Fun Rides is located in Cedar Rapids, and has been in operation since 2003.
Members of the Cedar Valley Chapter of the Embroiderers Guild of America Sharon Kolosik (left) and Martha Quint Lawrence show off their skill at their station in the National Czech-Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids. The Cedar Valley chapter of the Embroiderers Guild of America has 103 members.
Karter Green Climbs the rock wall provided by H&H Fun Rides and then repels down it while enjoying the Houby Days festival with his dad.
John Koozer performs Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus on Sunday May 18th. Koozer will also be performing with his band the Electric Paperclips at the Linn County Fair which will take place June 25th-29th.
Oaklee Bouzek goes down the inflatable slide at the Houby Days Festival on Sunday the 18th.
Kimberli Maloy performs during the Houby Days Festival on Sunday May 18th. Maloy has been playing music for several decades.
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