It’s that time of year again, when summer is coming to an end, school is starting up, and I am on my way to Protivin, IA for a weekend of Czech Days! Whatever you call it: Czechmas, Vitamin P Days, Pro-town Days….it’s always a nice weekend of family, friends, softball, bags, volleyball, bingo, polka, annnnnd food!
Here were this years highlights.
The Community Center offers the most variety. I knew right away I wanted some of EVERYTHING. So I went with a cup of Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup and a famous Roll.
Creamed Chicken - don’t forget those pickles - is possibly the best thing on sliced bread.
A full bowl of Soup was double the awesomeness.
The town of Protivin puts MONTHS of preparation into this one weekend. Cutting up chickens, making noodles, baking kolaches and rolls. Along with all the set up and organizing of events and bands = lots of committees and community involvement.
Every family prepares a couple cakes that is either used on the cake walk or in the Center. This chocolate cake was a hit,
but lemon poppy seed is more my style.
This guy seems to like it too. :)
New to the menu last year, Ribeye sandwiches. The most expensive thing in town this weekend at $5 but totally worth it.
Caramelized onions? Of course!
Another happy food model enjoys the Czech Days Sandwich.
Bratwurst and Barbequed Pork Sandwiches are necessary at some point throughout the three day celebration.
Delicious Brat at the ballpark.
A Pork Sandwich is recommended to fuel up for polka dancing.
As are kolaches. Be sure to buy early because they sell by the dozen and sell out fast!
My favorite flavors are Raspberry and Cherry.
A stop at the Wagon is required on Sunday mornings with a few rounds of Bingo. A Carmel Pecan Shake is the best…but it does not guarantee a bingo win. O-70, I-19, come on! (I realize these numbers are not on my card…but they were on my brothers and he was making me laugh every time they were called.)
Did you know 4 corners counted? well it does and the prize is $5. :)
I was rallied into helping prep a “special Czech Days treat” Sunday night. A fried kolache rolled in sugar is called a Koblihy.
Close up of the poppy seed variety. Everyone should own a Protivin Czech Cookbook to find out more tasty treats like this one.
One more thing…Can’t forget the Pivo…
More info on Protivin here: protivin.org
And found this cute promo too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZuSab14pAE&feature=player_embedded
I will leave you with a poem written by a regular Czech Daysian: Nick Kuennen
