Welcome to Dozinky

It’s New Prague’s biggest annual event. The 35th Annual Dozinky Festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, with Dozinky Cruise Night set for Friday, Sept. 20. 

                The first Dozinky Festival wasn’t really a Dozinky Festival. In October, 1985, the New Prague Chamber and New Prague Opportunities, a private economic development group, held Octoberfest, a fall harvest festival, in an effort to draw people to the community. After the first year, a few changes were made, the most important of which was giving the festival a name that more accurately reflected the community’s ethnic heritage. The new event was called “Dozinky: A Czechoslovakian Harvest Festival.”

                From its meager beginnings, the event continues to grow and evolve each year. A parade was added, and other events became part of the celebration… Cruise Night, the softball and volleyball tournaments, the Variety show (which is on a one-year hiatus) and more. On Friday and Saturday, thousands of people will crowd into the downtown area to celebrate. 

                All of this because some local business operators wanted to find a way to celebrate the community. It’s a tradition that has become a highlight of the year for many. People come to visit New Prague and enjoy the different activities. Young people in college come back to celebrate with friends. People who have moved from town come back to renew acquaintances. Everyone comes downtown to enjoy the music, the food and the atmosphere.