Houby Days 2026
The Cedar Rapids Areas Annual Celebration of Czech and Slovak Culture
The 48th annual Houby Days celebration took place in the historic Czech Village from 9:00AM on May 16th to 4:00PM on May 17th. The event featured a parade, car show, a parade of Kroje, a dance performance by the Karička Music and Dance Ensemble (a Czech-Slovak folk ensemble from California), and several musical acts among many other things. This years Houby Days celebration was dedicated to Pam Martin who was the first Czech Village Association Coordinator. Martin helped to organize the first Houby Days celebration which took place in 1978.
Miss Czech-Slovak USA 2nd runner-up Megan Moucha (representing Wisconsin) waves to the crowd during the Houby Days parade on Saturday May 16th. The parade featured the Miss Czech-Slovak pageant participants, and took place near the Czech Heritage Foundation at 10:00AM.
Miss Czech-Slovak 1st runner up Isabel Sherman waves to the crowd during the Houby Days Parade in the Czech Village on May 16th at 10:00AM. 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. Sherman represented Iowa and is from Cedar Rapids.
Will Beard draws a caricature of a couple of customers at his tent during the Houby Days celebration. Beard has been doing caricatures since 1997, and currently does between 20 and thirty shows per year.
Nicole Gensicke and her son Elias Gensicke look at some of the classic cars on display during the Houby Days car show on Saturday May 16th. This was Nicole’s first time attending the Houby Days celebration.
Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa 2024 Morgan Simoneau strikes a pose while participating in the parade of Kroje at the Kosek Bandstand during the Houby Days celebration on Saturday May 16th. Simoneau has been the Miss Czech-Slovak Pageant director for the last two years.
Members of the Karička Music and Dance Ensemble (a Czech-Slovak folk ensemble from San Diego California) perform a traditional folk dance at the Kosek Bandstand in the Czech Village on Saturday May 16th. The group is named after a traditional women’s circle dance and song originating from Eastern Slovakia.
National Czech and Slovak Museum President Dr. Cecilia Rokusek (right) performs a traditional Czech-Slovak dance with Jana Farella from the Karička Music and Dance Ensemble. The National Czech & Slovak museum and Library are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s network of museums, educational institutions and cultural organizations that share the Institution’s resources.
Aidan Gray (vocals,guitar) performs the song “I Shot the Sherriff” (originally by Bob Marley) with his band Funkatude at the Vintage Market on Saturday May 16th. The band also includes Tristan Gray on Bass Guitar, and Craig Willingham on drums.
Oak St Health marketing employee Robert Wickens speaks to a couple of potential customers about the services provided by Oak St Health. Oak St Health was founded in 2012 and specializes in helping older adults stay healthy and live more fulfilling lives.
Nate Basinger plays the accordian while performing with the band The Swamp Land Jewels at the Kosek Bandstand during the Houby Days celebration on May 16th. Basinger has been playing the accordian for thirty years, and with the band for four years. The Swamp Land Jewels are sponsored by Stephanie Wager from Five Seasons Chamber Music.
All photos will be available for purchase upon request to cobbwildphotography@gmail.com.