Dozinky was a delight!
The 28th annual Dozinky in New Prague will go into the history books as a delightful one. Crowds enjoyed sunny weather during the Czech harvest festival celebrating the community’s ethnic and agricultural roots on Friday, Sept. 14, and Saturday, Sept. 15.
"The beautiful weather made for a large crowd on Saturday and they stayed until 5 p.m.," said Kristy Mach, executive director of the New Prague Chamber of Commerce. The crowd was estimated around 12,000 people.
The chamber organizes Dozinky, held on the city’s Main Street. The festival began on Friday with the 19th annual Cruise Night. There were 357 vintage vehicles parading down the street, ranging from classic roadsters to hot rods. Palmer Welcome and the New Prague Rotary Club helped put together the event.
"The Rotary Club had a great set up," said Mach. She noted the route for the cruise outside of town had to be changed slightly due to road work.
The evening also included two street dances. One was on Central Avenue with the band the Rum Runners, the second was on Main Street near Joe’s Shoe Repair and featured Nudge.
Dozinky continued on Saturday with bands playing music and vendors and food booths offering various items and different delicacies.
"The vendors I spoke to said they had a fantastic day," said Mach. The wares included clothing, jewelry, rugs and laser engraving, which was busy all day. Mach said the milk shake booth at one point had a line across Main Street.
Shop owners also had a good day with the crowds.
"We were very busy," said Patty Lau of Lau’s Bakery. She, her husband Doug and their staff had people in until they closed at 5 p.m. They sold quite a few kolacky, a Czech treat, and served four gallons of the Czech soup vomacka. "We sold every bit of it."
"It was a good day. I had lots of people through the shop," said Kim Cooan of Trends and Treasures.
"It was a spectacular turn out," said Debra Howard, owner of Vintique, vintage jewelry and antiques. This was her first Dozinky. "I didn’t know what to expect, but it exceeded my expectations."
The Parade of Farm Pride featured 95 units with vari- ous tractors, farm machinery and groups and organizations. Grand marshals were brothers Tony and Roman Dorzinski.
Local heritage was on display at the Czech Village. Organized by the Czech Heritage Club it offered entertainment, displays and demonstrations.
"It went very well. I was pleased with how it went," said Vi Chromy. "We heard a lot of good comments about it."
Other events included the Rick Tietz Alumni Classic softball tournament, the Alumni Women’s Volleyball Tournament, Artists Alley
and capping off things was the Roundbank Dozinky Variety Show.
"Everything just ran so smoothly. Everybody has been complimentary about it," said Mach about Dozinky. "The city crews did an amazing job in cleaning up overnight. They just do an incredible job."
