Nebraska’s Czech Heritage Celebration

Kolach Days is Verdigre’s annual celebration of its Czech heritage — a multi-day festival built around the kolach, the traditional Czech pastry. The event fills the town with parades, polka music, a Royal Ball, food, games, and community gatherings that draw visitors from across the region.

2026 Dates — June 12–14

Pre-events begin Tuesday June 9 and Thursday June 11 with Bran Riders and Verdigre Community Chorus performances.

Friday, June 12

Fun for Kids at Wildwood Acres (punt/pass/kick, water slides, foam party) · Bull-A-Rama · Community Chorus repeat performance · Street Dance 9 p.m.–1 a.m. at Chalupnik Park, music by Lemon Fresh Day ($10 gate charge)

Saturday, June 13

5K Run-Walk (8 a.m., Verdigre School) · Tractor Drive (departs Verdigre Stockyards 9 a.m.) · Kiddie Parade (10 a.m., theme: “Kolach Days Traditions”) · Mixed Couples Pickleball Tournament · Doc Walstrom Memorial Turtle Races · Inflatables · Coin Dig · Dodgeball · Duck Races · Chalk Art · Rib Cookoff (Verdigre Volunteer Fire Dept., serving 5 p.m.–gone, $40 entry) · Garland & Company music at Chalupnik Park 5–7 p.m. · Poker Run · Human Foosball

Sunday, June 14

Open House at new Fire Hall (9 a.m.–noon) · Annual Polka Mass at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church (10 a.m., all faiths welcome) · Grand Parade (1:30 p.m., entries until 12:30, contact Jim Sokol 402-841-5744) · Kolach Eating Contest on Main Street immediately following parade (no entry fee) · Royal Ball — coronation of 2026 king and queen, 4:30 p.m., music by Angie and the Polka Toons

Food & Drink

Verdigre Improvement Club beer garden (Chalupnik Park Friday & Saturday, ZCBJ Hall Sunday) · Bohemian One Stop (old-fashioned wieners, bologna, beef jerky, kolaches) · Grandma Pam’s (pork roast, sauerkraut & dumplings, hot beef, broasted pork chops, ceska buchta, burgers) · Catholic Church ethnic meal Sunday · Reiman Coffee Company (full menu, bar) · Verdigre Bakery (kolaches, Czech favorites, open Wed–Sun)

Event Details

Dates: June 12–14, 2026 (pre-events June 9 & 11)
Location: Verdigre, Nebraska 68783 (Knox County)
Organizer: Verdigre Improvement Club

External Links

• Knox County News on Facebook — local event coverage
• myknoxcountynews.com

See Verdigre, Nebraska for lodging and dining. Verdigre is on Nebraska Highway 14 in Knox County.