Nebraska Czech Festival

The Nebraska Czech Festival is held at Wilber, the Czech Capital of Nebraska, on the first full weekend of August. It was founded in 1962 by four Wilber men, Senator Joe T. Vosoba, Judge Eugene Zajicek, Pastor William Temps and Walter A. Baer, to perpetuate Czech culture and draw visitors to the town. The first festival drew about 20,000 people. Wilber was named Czech Capital of Nebraska by proclamation in 1963 and a state historical marker was dedicated in 1965. The festival hosts the national Miss Czech-Slovak U.S. Pageant, which makes it more than a local event, alongside parades, accordion jamborees, Czech dancers, a kolache eating contest, stein holding, tractor pulls and quilt shows. The 66th festival runs August 6 to 8, 2027.