WILSON — Last minute preparations are underway for the 59th annual After Harvest Czech Festival in Wilson.

“It’s going really well,” said Kate Schiermeyer, co-chair along with Susan Kriley of the 12-member Wilson Czech Festival Committee.“We have a good committee.”

“There are a lot of active committee members that make it very smooth,” Kriley added.

The two-day festival of fun and food begins Friday and runs through Saturday.

Schiermeyer said entertainment always provides the “wow” factor at the Social Garden during the Czech Festival — and this year is no exception.

By popular demand, the band Homebrew returns to the Czech Festival this year, performing from 9 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday at the Social Garden.

The Adam Capps Band will also perform at the Czech Festival from 9 p.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday in the Social Garden.

The Joe Dolezal Polka Band performs from 4-7 p.m. Friday and from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Social Garden.

Friday events

The two-day festival kicks off at 3 p.m. Friday with the Mini-Czech Princess Pageant at the Wilson School Commons.

Next on the schedule at 4 p.m. is the annual state meeting of the Kansas Czechs Inc. at the Wilson Senior Center., as well as Arts and Crafts at Lions Club Park.

At 5 p.m. Sharon Valasek, honorary counsel to the Czech Republic, will give greetings at the Senior Center.

Also at 5 p.m., turtle races will be conducted at Lions Club Park.

At 5:30 p.m., a Pong Tournament takes place at the Social Garden and a 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament gets underway in the Wilson Communications parking lot.

At 6 p.m., the Prague Folk Dancers provide a preview performance at Lions Club Park, and a Czech dinner is served at the Senior Center.

At 6:30 p.m., the Wilson Czech Dancers perform in Lions Club Park.

Several activities kick off at 7 p.m. at Lions Club Park, including a performance of the Wilson City Band and the Ice Cream Social. Also at 7 p.m. Mark Popp will amaze festivalgoers with his twisted balloon creations.

“This is his third year doing that,” Kriley said.

From 7:30 to 11:30 p.m., the Czech Fest Midway rides and games (including tall slides) will be available in the Midway.

From 8 p.m. to midnight, the Brad Husak Polka Band will perform on the patio at the Midland Railroad Hotel.

At 10 p.m., a beer stein holding contest will be conducted, also on the Midland Railroad Hotel patio.

“It sounds like a ton of fun,” Kriley said.

Saturday events

Czech Festival events start bright and early with the Czech 5K Run/Walk/Bike at 7:45 a.m. starting in front of Wilson City Hall.

At 8 a.m., Arts and Crafts open at Lions Club Park and the Country Store opens at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church Parish Hall.

From 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., the annual Legislative Kolaches and Coffee gathering takes place at Grandma’s Soda Shop.

"There are a lot of active committee members that make it very smooth."
Susan Kriley
Co-chair, Wilson After Harvest Czech Festival

“They (the public) can ask questions and hear the politicians speak and get all of the different perspectives,” Schiermeyer said.

Also at 8:30 a.m., the Wilson City Band performs in front of city hall.

At 9:30 a.m., the Wilson Czech Dancers will perform in front of city hall, followed at 9:50 a.m. by the presentation of this year’s Czech Festival grand marshals, John and Lynn Kasper of Wilson.

Schiermeyer said the Kaspers were chosen by a vote of the community.

Kriley noted Lynn Kasper retired last year as the long-time coordinator of the Miss Kansas Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant. John is a retired attorney.

“So it was perfect timing for the community to step up and tell John and Lynn how much they appreciate all the hard work and everything they’ve done to keep that Czech heritage alive and everything they’ve done for the festival.”

A community vote also chose this year’s Festival theme — Family-Friends-Cheers.

At 9:55 a.m., Valasek will give greetings on Main Street.

At 10 a.m., the Wilson Czech Festival Parade proceeds down Main Street. Also at 10 a.m. a Softball Tournament gets underway at Jellison Park.

At 11 a.m., dinner is served at various places around Wilson, including a Czech Style Buffet at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Parish Hall and a BBQ rib dinner at the Wilson American Legion. A drawing for two homemade quilts and several other prizes will also take place at the Wilson Senior Center.

From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kansas Originals Market and Gallery north of Wilson invites the public to check out their samples, live music and “Discover the Land of Oz.”

From 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Midway rides and games are available (including water inflatables) at the Midway.

At 11 a.m., the Besada, the national Czech dance, is performed by the Prague Folk Dancers at the Midland Railroad Hotel patio.

From noon to 2 p.m., Kids Czech Culture Activities and Czech Egg painting will take place at Lions Club Park. Also at noon, the Ellsworth Tumble Dance and Cheer group will perform at Lions Club Park.

At 12:30 p.m., a traditional Kolace (Czech Pastry) making demonstration by the Prague Kolache Bakers takes place in the Midland Railroad Hotel dining room.

From 1 to 4 p.m., Mark Popp will have his twisted balloon creations at the south shelter of Lions Club Park.

Also at 1 p.m., sand volleyball will be played at Jellison Park. In addition, karaoke and music will be provided by Bob Boatright at the Wilson American Legion, and Pastor Delvin Strecker performs an organ concert at Immanuel Lutheran Church.

At 1:30 p.m. Lang Memorial Library hosts an outdoor sign dedication and 95th anniversary celebration at the library. From 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., a respite center will be open at the First Presbyterian Church.

At 2 p.m., the annual Miss Kansas Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant begins at the Wilson School Commons. Also at 2 p.m. Bingo takes place at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Parish Hall.

At 3:30 p.m., the Prague Folk Dancers perform on the patio at the Midland Railroad Hotel.

At 4 p.m., a Polka Mass featuring the Joe Dolezal Band is conducted at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.

At 5 p.m., a Disc Golf Tournament takes place at the Wilson Disc Golf Course.

At 5:30 p.m., a locally made brat meal will be served by the Wilson Knights of Columbus at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Parish Hall.

At 6:30 p.m., the Joe Dolezal Band performs a polka dance at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Parish Hall. Also at 6:30 p.m., a Talent Show takes place at Lions Club Park.

From 8 to 10 p.m. a teen dance for all ages takes place at Grandma’s Soda Shop, followed by a teen dance for ages 10-13 from 10 p.m. to midnight.

From 9 p.m. to midnight, a teen tailgate and games for ages 14 and older only will take place at Lions Club Park.

See the Czech Fest insert in this week’s paper for more information.