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Poised for Polka
Randy Bryan Bigham,
05-21-2007
Czech celebration may see biggest crowds to date
Polka fans from across the country are sure to find all the fun and polka music they’re looking for in Ennis on Memorial Day Weekend as the city hosts the 41st Annual National Polka Festival, one of the largest of its kind in the United States. With the mammoth country music festival “Country Thunder USA” making its Texas debut near Ennis on the same weekend, the traditional Czech celebration may see more visitors to the festival than ever before.
Apart from watching the parade that’s been the centerpiece of the event since its 1966 inception, visitors can dance –– or just listen –– to a variety of polka, waltz and folk music bands playing at three spacious auditoriums. There’s even a special Saturday night country concert at Sokol Hall featuring rising stars Wade Bowen and Ryan Turner.
The National Polka Festival is a joint effort of many Ennis organizations.
“The Ennis Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the Polka Festival Parade and the downtown arts and crafts activities,” said Patsy Grider, president of the Ennis Chamber of Commerce. “We greatly appreciate the contributions made to our community by the National Polka Festival Committee, and we love opportunities to celebrate the Czech culture that adds such flavor and fun to the Ennis way of life. The music, the food, and the big smiles can’t be beat. Enjoy the festival and enjoy Ennis! ‘Vitame vas!’”
Annually, the Ennis fest attracts about 50,000 polka enthusiasts from around the country but this year may see even larger crowds since as many as 100,000 country music revelers will already be in town for Country Thunder USA.
The giant-scale Polka Festival Parade, with floats winding through downtown Ennis, vies for popularity with the bands, Czech-costumed dancers, and the abundance of Czech food and family-geared activities.
“There is no other Czech festival that brings thousands of people to town,” said Danny Zapletal, director of the National Polka Festival. “The festival’s founders and successors have maintained the authenticity and values of the Czech tradition, requiring all parade entries, street dancers and bands to maintain the Czech theme.”
The 2007 parade theme is “Czech Life in Ennis.”
At the three Czech entertainment facilities, over 13 live bands from throughout the U.S., will appear during the weekend.
Among scheduled performers at the auditoriums are Grammy-winner Brave Combo, the West High Junior Dancers and the Zoyra Ukranian Dance Ensemble. Free shuttle buses will provide transportation between the downtown activities, hotels and the music halls. In addition, the Ennis Rotary Club is hosting its first annual “Bed Race” immediately following Saturday’s opening ceremonies. The Annual Horseshoe tournament is also being held at the KJT Hall on Saturday.
“Between polkas, visitors can also stroll through the town’s Czech museum at Sokol, a memorial to local Czech heritage,” said Ennis Tourism Director Gina Rokas.
The Friday night dance contest where participants are encouraged to wear traditional Czech costumes, determines the festival’s queen and king, and a Sunday “Polka Mass” lures visitors to hear English and Czech hymns sung to polka music.
Veteran disc jockey Johnny Krajca is on tap to host his Sunday Morning Polka Show live from the KJT Hall on Sunday morning. The band, “Czech and Then Some” is a special guest of Krajca’s program.
Professional photographers will be on hand to judge the 7th Annual Polka Pictures Photo Contest in three categories.
“Visitors and locals are encouraged to turn in their photos to the Ennis Convention and Visitors Bureau by June 30,” Rokas said.
Founded in 1872 by settlers that included many Czechoslovakian immigrants, Ennis’ more than 18,000 residents have managed to maintain the city’s small-town charm while enjoying outstanding achievements in industrial growth and recruitment.
For more information on the National Polka Festival, contact the Ennis Convention and Visitors Bureau at (888) 366-4748, or on the web at www.visitennis.org and the official festival site: www.nationalpolkafestival.com, where special package deals are available online only through May 22.
Look for more on the upcoming festival and parade in Monday’s edition of the Ennis Daily News.
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