Kolaches, clowns, queens — Oh my!

Amid the quiet town of Prague, in a downtown full of brick buildings and small town staples, the first Saturday in May transforms the city with a taste of Czech charm as the sleepy hamlet celebrates the annual Kolache festival.
With an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 visitors in attendance, according to the Grand Marshall Maxine Kingsbury, the Kolache Festival featured dozens of events and attractions.
The day kicked off with a parade that featured about 100 entries ranging from antique cars and floats to the local Girl Scout Troop and 4H club.
The festival theme, “American Made/Czech Pride,” influenced several of the floats that either emphasized their tradition or how the groups embraced both American and Czech ties.
Kingsbury said, “The event is much better than last year.” Kingsbury became involved with the Kolache Festival years ago when she started running a concessions booth at the festival for the roundup club. From there, she began to judge different events. A teacher at Stroud public schools, Kingsbury also worked with her students to compile floats for the parade. Her involvement with the Kolache Festival continued after she retired from 35 years of teaching. This year, members of the Kolache committee selected her to serve as Grand Marshall. “It’s an honor,” said the Oklahoma Baptist University Alumnus. Kingsbury lives in Prague, and said the event is the biggest the city sponsors all year. “We see people from all over, even international. I couldn’t pick one ‘best event;’ there are lots of activities,” she said.
Kingsbury also said that Kolaches, the official food of the festival, always sell out before the day ends. Kolaches, a traditional Czech pastry, are bread rolls filled with a variety of items from jam to cream cheese. Although the festival promotes tradition in the small city of 2,500, plenty of traditional festival treats (funnel cakes, turkey legs and even fried Snickers bars) found their way into the hands and stomachs of many.
Doug and Carol Bell of Seminole returned to the event after a three-year absence.
Doug drove one of the fire trucks in the parade and said he was drawn to the event because of his connections to “the old country.”
The Bells lived in Germany for several years and remember festivals that featured Czech dancers and traditions like those at the Kolache Festival.
The Bells’ family roots stretch into Germany, Scotland, Holland and more. Carol said the parade gives visitors a chance to see how much culture of other countries influences American culture.
Hundreds watched the costume judging contests for all ages of participants.
Many moms and grandmothers spent time making the costumes for the competitors.
Despite the windy and, at times, chilly weather, the streets remained jammed all day with visitors.
Other performers during the festival included the United Freestyle Stunt Team that wowed crowds with bike tricks, traditional Czech dancers, Nashville recording artists, Shawna Russell of Okemah and more.   
The day was topped off with a fireworks show.
For more information on the festival or recipes to make Kolache, visit www.praguekolachefestival.com.