photo courtesy Kolache Festival
Don’t be deceived by the convenience store variety of kolaches. You can devour authentic fruit or cream cheese-filled kolaches, recipes brought to Texas by Czech immigrants—as well as klobásník, with popular Texas stuffings like sausage—at Caldwell’s annual Kolache Festival on Sept. 8. The festival encourages attendees to “be Czech for a day.” Demonstrations celebrating Czech heritage will be staged by the Burleson County Czech Heritage Museum and other local historians and will feature traditional items like a corn grinder and bobbin lace. The town has hosted the event for more than three decades and promotes popular events like a quilt show, street rod and classic car show, the famed kolache-eating contest, and the crowning of a state champion kolache baker after a judged competition. New this year is a showcase of “glampers” and vintage trailers that highlight how to brave the elements in style and luxury. There also will be a hospoda—a Czech gathering place—serving craft beers and wine for a break while shopping the more than 250 expected arts, crafts, and food vendors.
