Festival

Chapter Queens

History

NEBRASKA CZECHS INCORPORATED

FOUNDED 1962

The idea of forming a state-wide Czech organization was conceived in February of 1962 when four citizens of Wilber, namely, Joseph Vosoba, Eugene Zajicek, William Temps and Walter A. Baer brought the idea to reality.

The organization was given the name of Nebraska Czechs, Incorporated and its purpose was to perpetuate Czech culture and tradition including the development of a museum for the preservation of Czech literature, culture and artifacts. It was also to be state wide and that there be various activities including a celebration or a festival by each chapter.

Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, and a Seal were approved and adopted on April 7, 1962. Governor Frank Morrison, guest speaker expressed enthusiasm for an organization that would benefit tourism and help build the entire country by promoting understanding, friendship and an appreciation of all people in the State. 

On March 16, 1979 the Nebraska Legislature passed a bill, Legislative Resolution 27 introduced by Senators Richard Maresh and Don Wesely, that the first Sunday in August shall be designated as official Nebraska Czech Day in the State of Nebraska.

At present there are 11 affiliating chapters. Each year a candidate for a queen is chosen by each chapter. These queens are then eligible to participate in the Nebraska Miss Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant, which is held in June in Clarkson, NE.  The Nebraska Czech-Slovak Queen will then be eligible, following her State reign, to participate in the National Czech-Slovak Queen Pageant held in Wilber, NE each August.

The affiliated chapters are as follows:

Nebraska Czechs of Butler County

Nebraska Czechs of Clarkson

Nebraska Czechs of Dwight

Nebraska Czechs of Lincoln

Nebraska Czechs of  The Omaha Czech Cultural Club

Nebraska Czechs of  The Panhandle

Nebraska Czechs of Prague

Nebraska Czechs of South Central Nebraska

Nebraska Czechs of  Sokol South Omaha

Nebraska Czechs of Wilber

Nebraska Czechs of York