A Taste of Tradition

The 30th annual Kolache Fest is set to take place this weekend with the majority of the activities held at Knights of Columbus Hall in Hallettsville.

What began as an idea in 1995 has now become one of South Texas’ most beloved annual traditions.

Starting in 1995, a group of 24 dedicated local volunteers came together with a vision to celebrate the Czech culture and created the now well-known Kolache Fest.

Using kolaches as its centerpiece, the first fest attracted an estimated six thousand people attending.

In order to get that first Kolache Fest started over 400 chamber members and community volunteers in the Hallettsville area baked more than 330 dozen kolaches for everyone to enjoy.

The original group consisted of Reggie Briscoe (chairman) along with Alan Jirkovsky, Roger Janak, R.L. Bordovsky, Kathleen Chovanetz, Larry Rothbauer, Jean McDonald Appelt, Geraldine Dornak, Rida Chovanetz, Frank Janecek, Doris Grubert, Anna Klekar, Margie Opela, Margaret Kallus, Bobbie Lee Drozd, Nola Bohuslav, Tommy Hermes, Elmo Grant, Donald McAfee, Pam Morgan, Barbara Koehne, Pat Carr and Sandra Campbell.

Over the years, the spirit of the community continues to fuel the festival, which has grown into a two-day event that attracts thousands from across this area of Texas.

With that first year, another tradition began including naming either a queen or king for the Kolache Fest.

Over the years one honoree was usually crowned, but in some years two individuals were honored, while in other years the festival skipped a coronation.

The list of those who have were named Kolache Queen, or King include:

• 1995 – Elsie Steffek

• 1996 – Bernadette Bludau

• 1997 – Evelyn Sklar

• 1998 – Billie Appelt Kolos

• 1999 – Helen Janak and Mary Ellen Fertsch

• 2000 – Peggy Janak

• 2001 – Donna Leopold

• 2002 – Hedwig Greer

• 2003 – Margaret Kallus

• 2004 – Vanice Krejci

• 2005 – Evelyn Konvicka

• 2006 – Mary Alice Machicek and Irene Szwarc

• 2007 – 2012 – No queen named

• 2013 – Bernice Schulte and Anthony Petru

• 2014 – Delora Wagner

• 2015 – No queen or king

• 2016 – Tamara Belcik

• 2017 – Tiffani Steffek

• 2018 – Alyson Klimitchek Grahmann

• 2019 – Emily Castillo

• 2020 – No Kolache Fest due to Covid pandemic

• 2021 – Courtney Stefan

• 2022 – Davi Spaeth

• 2023 – Annabeth Neumeyer

• 2024 – Grace Kloppenburg

•••••••••••••••

The Kolache Fest begins Friday with 42 Domino warm-up games played at the hall.

On Saturday, the bulk of the event begins with the Kolache Fest 5K Fun Run kicking things off starting at 7:30 a.m. at the Courthouse Square.

One other event taking place around the Square includes the annual Kolache Fest Parade beginning at 10 a.m.

All other activities will take place at the KC Hall with the 42 Domino tournament starting at 8 a.m.

Throughout the day, a large amount of events have been lined up with activities for all ages to enjoy.

Arts and crafts as well as food vendors will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and located on the KC Hall grounds.

The Shiner Hobo Band will perform at the Biergarten Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Car show registration will take place at 12 noon and at 2 p.m. the annual kolache eating contest will be held in the main pavilion.

Following the eating contest Mark Halata and Texavia will be on the Biergarten Pavilion stage from 3 to 6 p.m. and also at 3 p.m., the car show awards will be presented.

Also at three o’clock, those wishing to participate in the cornhole tournament can register.

At 3:30 p.m., a kolache baking demonstration will take place inside the KC Hall and at 4 p.m. the cornhole tournament will start.

At 6 p.m., barbecue, chili and pie awards will presented to the winners at the Biergarten Pavilion.

Lastly the evening will conclude inside the hall with the Texas Dream Band on stage from 7 to 9 p.m. and be followed by The John Evans Band performing from 9:30 to 11 p.m.