Cover photo credit:Image Credit: Kolacky Days, Facebook
Montgomery is the heart of “Minnesota Czech Country” — located just an hour south of the Twin Cities, 31% of the people as of the 2010 census still claimed to have some Czech ancestry, which sounds worth celebrating to us!
July 26-29, 2019 the city of Montgomery will be celebrating its 85th Annual Kolacky Days, which pays homage to the Bohemian pastry. No matter if you are Czech or not, everyone is welcome during this three-day celebration!
Among the lineup of events, an authentic Czech dinner on Friday night, a Czech village of crafts and other items on Saturday and Sunday, a Homemade Kolacky Baking Contest where people submit their kitchen’s best (de facto State Championship), Czech and Slovak Folk Dancers on Saturday and Sunday along with polka music all weekend long!
On Friday night, the town crowns the Kolacky Queen, a tradition started in 1931 — and if you have been to a parade in Minnesota you might remember seeing a float with 4 girls dressed in Czech attire.
There is also a kolacky eating contest, and despite being a Montgomery since 1929, St. Paulites are the leaders for the most wins. There are many other activities like a 5K Road Race, Bohemian Tractor Pull, a Grand Day Parade, US National Championship of Prune Spitting and Tour de Bun Bicycle Classic to name a few. Another one is the Homemade Wine Competition. The full schedule can be found on the Kolacky Days website.
Friday: Kolacky Days Homemade Wine Competition
Winemaking in the Czech Republic occurs mostly in the area called Moravia. Starting in 2009, the Montgomery Area Community Club (MACC) added a homemade wine competition to highlight the winemaking craft and the recently found enthusiasm by many of the locals as one of the many events and activities offered during the town’s Kolacky Days festival.
The homemade wine competition is on Friday, July 26, 2019 in Historic Downtown Montgomery, and I’m thrilled to be joining them this year as a judge! The contest has 6 classes of wine that a winemaker could enter. He or she may enter up to 1 bottle per class including red, white and rose grape wines, and red white and rose non-grape wines.
Entries are accepted from 7:00 – 7:30 p.m. and judging begins promptly at 7:30 p.m. at the Montgomery Area Community Club Office, 206 1st Street South, Montgomery, MN 56069. If you are a home-vintner extraordinaire, grab your best bottle and head to MACC Office, located downtown Montgomery.
Entry forms are available on-line at www.kolackydays.com or can be completed when you arrive. Ribbons will be awarded at the conclusion of the judging for each class and 1 wine will be chosen as the Best of Show!
Image Credit: Kolacky DaysWhile you’re in the area, consider a stop by Next Chapter Winery (New Prague, MN)!
