KOLACHE FESTIVAL - Discover what make this iconic festival one-of-a-kind and try baking your own kolaches.

KOLACHE FESTIVAL

Things get tasty every year in Caldwell on the second Saturday in September. The annual Caldwell Kolache Festival, on the square downtown, offers dance, song, food, crafts, period costumes, children’s activities, classic cars and beautiful quilts. The festival symbolizes the warmth and fellowship of the Bohemian people. They are proud of the heritage they honor and kindly invite you to this wonderful celebration of the kolache (pronounced ko-LAH-tch, with no “ee,” in local dialect).

WHAT THE FESTIVAL IS ALL ABOUT

“The festival is about celebrating the kolache,” said Janice Easter, festival chair of the Burleson Chamber of Commerce sponsored event. “We have a bake show where youth, adults, and professionals can enter multiple categories. You can also purchase kolaches from vendors that come from all over Central Texas to sell their homemade wares at the festival.”

Dating all the way back to 1984, the festival started off small, however it didn’t take long for visitors to catch on that there really is something special going on at the Kolache Festival.

“We went from tiny to a giant explosion,” shared Easter. “There were four or five years, consecutive years, where we had over 25,000 people, and the kolaches … I know that they sold 1000s of dozens, and that’s a lot! We’ve been sold out, even before noon, on a particular festival day. People get here super early for the kolaches. In addition, we have a kolache eating contest that you can join in teams, and you don’t have to sign up in advance.”

In addition to the kolaches, the festival also offers activities and entertainment for both the young and the young at heart.

“We have wholesome music all day,” added Easter. “We love polka music; who doesn’t? I’m 100% Czech, so I grew up with it. We also have approximately 250 vendors, arts and crafts and food. We have a kiddy land so, if you have small children, there is something for them, as well. There’s an antique tractor and machinery show, and a classic car show at Davidson Creek Park under the shade trees. It’s a beautiful setting.” CALDWELL, TEXAS | 10

Frances Pullin’s award-winning kolaches are pictured, above. A basic recipe to get you started making your own is offered, below.

OLD CZECH METHOD DOUGH FILLINGS

We’ve been sold out, even before noon, on a particular festival day. People get here super early for the kolaches.

INGREDIENTS 6 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided 1 ½ cups warm evaporated milk 4 ½ teaspoons active dry yeast 1 ½ teaspoons salt ¼ cup butter or margarine, melted 1 egg plus 2 yolks, well beaten 2 teaspoons vanilla 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

PREPARATION Sift flour into large bowl. Make a well in the flour. Put one teaspoon sugar the warm milk, and yeast in the well. Let stand about five minutes.

Add remaining sugar, salt, butter, eggs, vanilla, and lemon rind. Mix and beat well with a wooden spoon. Sprinkle top lightly with flour, cover, and let rise in a warm place about 1 ½ hours. Then use dough for frgáls or kolaches. Use Old Czech Method Dough Recipe and fat for greasing pie pan or baking sheet.

Cottage Cheese Filling: 16oz. cottage cheese 6 tablespoons butter 2 egg yolks ½ cup sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar 2 egg whites, beaten 2 tablespoons raisins

Apricot Filling: 5 cups dried apricots 2 cups sugar 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon almond extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Form into a pie or kolache shapes, about ½ inch thick. Place on greased pie pan or baking sheet. Spread filling no more than ½ inch thick. Bush edges with egg white and bake in preheated 3250 F oven for thirty minutes.

KOLACHE FESTIVAL

History lovers will want to take a stroll through the Kraitchar House, just east of the courthouse square. Built in 1891, the tour gives visitors a look at the home’s superior craftmanship and a unique glimpse at what life was like during this period in Central Texas. In addition to the historic home, festivalgoers can also vote on their favorite quilt in the Kolache Festival’s Quilt Show.

“We have an amazing quilt show with so many beautiful pieces of quilted art on display,” said Easter. “Everyone gets a card and votes on their favorites.”

HISTORY OF THE KOLACHE FESTIVAL

The Kolache Festival has a lot of history in Caldwell and, today, carries on those traditions started by her Czech founders.

“It started as just a baking contest, recognizing our county that is full of great Czech bakers,” shared Easter. “For the next three or four years, it grew bigger and bigger until it became a full-blown festival. It’s always the second Saturday in September, always set in stone. That date is also there because so many of the people who moved away come home on that weekend. It’s a great time to hold class reunions because so many people come home for the Kolache Festival.”

GETTING A TASTE OF YOUR OWN

For those wanting to indulge in the very best kolaches in the state, they better be ready to rise and shine early.

“You better be here by 8 o’clock,” laughed Easter. “Everyone’s invited and anyone can come. The event is free and there’s no parking fee, no fees of any kind to attend.”

For more information, visit www.caldwelltx.gov/explore/kolache-festival.

FUTURE OF THE FESTIVAL

Any festival of this size takes manpower and volunteers to make the magic happen and the Kolache Festival in Caldwell is no exception.

“The City of Caldwell is so instrumental in the success of the festival,” added Easter. “They’ve got to set up the electrical poles for all of the vendors and do all of the road closures. There’s just so many things that the city is responsible for.”

Still, volunteers are also needed to keep the Czech traditions alive at the Kolache Festival and extra hands are always welcome.

“There are not enough people to keep things going and it’s hard work,” said Easter. “We need volunteers to help promote the culture and keep it going for years to come. We are all volunteer based and we’re blessed to have community volunteers that are passionate about it.”