Czech Village "Houby Days" Kick-Off

By: Claire Kellett, Anchor/Reporter

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By Claire Kellett

Story Created: May 15, 2009 at 10:01 PM CST

Story Updated: May 15, 2009 at 10:01 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - Safety concerns following the flood almost moved the annual Houby Days out of Cedar Rapids Czech Village, but people there said they wanted to stick with tradition. The city council granted their wish and gave the go-ahead to have the weekend-long celebration. Since Czech Village isn't completely back up and running, things are a little different this year, including event locations.

The Taste of Czech and Slovak is the unofficial start to Houby Days. This year it had to move from the flood-damaged National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library to St. Ludmilla Catholic Church. If Friday night's dinner is any indication, Houby Days is going to be crowded this weekend.

No matter the location, the annual Taste of Czech and Slovak never disappoints hungry customers. Every server offers a different dish. With 31 items to choose from, it's a good thing everything comes in sample sizes. So people don't have to be selective.

"Twenty items, so I can choose 20 different things," says Terry Miller.

That requires some thinking, but diners had a while to decide what to have for dinner.

"A half hour, 45 minutes maybe," says Joni Culver.

Record attendance this year, close to 400 people, made for a longer-than-normal wait.

"Patience with the flood I learned that," says Miller.

The flood also taught a valuable lesson in keeping tradition alive. This dinner kicks off Houby Days, a weekend celebration that's been a part of the Czech Village for more than 30 years.

"It's all about heritage, culture, preserving wonderful memories," says Gail Naughton.

From music to eating to table talk, the two-hour event goes by pretty quickly.

"We're just having a gay old time," says Lucretia Volsch.

That proves it's not location, but people that make the annual Taste of Czech and Slovak an evening to remember.

The event is a fundraiser for the Czech Museum.

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