It is with a heavy heart that we must inform you the Czech Heritage Foundation has cancelled its annual St. Joseph’s Day dance.
It’s impossible to predict if in-person gatherings will be allowed by the time the dance is typically held in March. Therefore, the foundation is unable to provide sufficient notice to venue operators to secure a location to hold the dance.
We look forward to seeing you in 2022!
UPDATE: the Annual Membership Meeting has been re-scheduled for April 20th!
Like many beloved events, our annual Czech Heritage Foundation meeting and potluck, typically held in January, is being postponed due to the pandemic. We'll keep you posted on a new date when we can safely gather again.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, The National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library will not have their traditional in-person Old World Christmas Market (OWCM) the first weekend of December. The NCSML will be open regular business hours from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 6, with a reimagined virtual market. Old World Christmas Market | National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (ncsml.org)
Due to the change in format, the Czech Heritage Foundation will not have a table at the OWCM as originally planned, nor will there be a wreath raffle. We hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season!
Veselé Vánoce!
The Czech Heritage Foundation was among organizations to participate in the Cedar Rapids Public Library’s Community Cultural Celebration & Expo. Held March 7, the event happened before social distancing guidelines went into place in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cedar Rapids Mayor Brad Hart kicked off the celebration alongside the Czech Heritage Foundation’s Royal Court, including Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Breckyn Pokorny, followed by a bagpipe procession to the upper level of the library, where a number of community organizations showcased information about their groups. The Czech Royal Court — young people ages 6 to 16 who represent the Czech Heritage Foundation at festivals and other events — tried their hand at traditional Japanese archery, learned about numerous non-profit groups and met elected officials, including state representative Art Staed. Entertainment was provided by singers and dancers, such as the Amen Choir and the Champagne Academy of Irish Dance, in the library’s Whipple Auditorium. Czech Heritage Foundation board members provided information about college scholarships, Homestay and other programs, as well as its newsletter and publications, for visitors who stopped at the group’s table.
Given that the library is among the many resources closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, we are reminded of the importance of libraries everywhere in expanding our world through events such as these.
– Cindy Hadish, Czech Heritage Foundation, Communications & Outreach chair
It is with great sadness that we announce the 42nd Annual Houby Days Festival and Parade (2020) has been CANCELLED due to the ongoing coronavirus situation. For information on the emerging COVID-19 health issue, visit the Iowa Dept of Health’s web site at https://idph.iowa.gov/Emerging-Health-Issues/Novel-Coronavirus.
At this time, the Czech Heritage Foundation has POSTPONED the 2020 Miss Czech-Slovak Iowa Pageant and 2020 Royal Court Crowning. The foundation will work to reschedule these important events as the Spring progresses and the situation evolves.
Thank you to all of the loyal Czech Heritage Foundation members for your continued support, and we hope to see you at the rescheduled pageant events later in the year!