A parade on a street with people in the background. A girl dressed in Renaissance or folk costume is sitting on the back of a blue Ford Mustang convertible, waving at the crowd. The scene is lively with many spectators watching the parade.

Houby Days

Celebrate Houby Days in Czech Village

Czech Village comes alive for Houby Days, a beloved celebration of Czech and Slovak heritage filled with live music, traditional food, local vendors, family-friendly activities, and plenty of kolache. Gather with the community, explore the neighborhood, and experience the traditions that have made this annual festival a Cedar Rapids favorite.

2027 Volunteer Signup

Vendor Application

2027 Parade Application

Miss Czech/Slovak Iowa Application

2026 Booklet

2026 Events

Please email houbydaysCVA@gmail.com to advertise and support this event!

A clock tower with a red metal roof and brick facade, displaying the time 3:16, and an astronomical calendar below the clock, next to a street lamp with a banner celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Czech & Slovak Museum and Library.

Group of young people dressed in traditional Czech folk costumes, smiling and wearing sashes that say 'Czech Heritage Foundation Royal Court', with a banner in the background that reads 'Czech Heritage Foundation Royal Court'.

Five elderly people, three women and two men, are on a red wooden porch with musical instruments, including accordions and a music stand. They are smiling and appear ready to perform, dressed in red and neutral clothing.

A band performing on a white pavilion stage at an outdoor event, with an audience sitting in portable chairs and some children standing nearby. The banner on the stage reads "147 Years of the Czech School." The pavilion has a sign that says "Kosek Ba

A heart with a check mark and a cross symbol, with the text 'Zzech Plus Band' written across the heart.

Children and a woman in traditional Czech attire on a parade float decorated with red, white, (American flag colors), and silver foil, under a sign that reads 'Czech Heritage Foundation, Cedar Rapids, Iowa', with American flags and onlookers nearby.

People at an outdoor market or street fair with tents and tables displaying goods, on a sunny day in a small town or city.

Four people wearing high visibility vests standing on a sidewalk outside a store with an 'OPEN' sign, three men and one woman smiling.

Downtown street scene with signs indicating road closure and no U-turn, decorated with pink banners. A

A band performing on an outdoor bandstand stage labeled "KOSEK BANDSTAND" with three musicians playing guitars and singing. Audience members are seated on chairs in front of the stage, watching the performance.

Smiling woman with short gray hair and glasses, wearing a sunflower headpiece, embroidered blouse, and a black apron with colorful floral embroidery, inside a shop.

Young girl with mermaid face paint at outdoor market, wearing a sleeveless top with mermaid tail design, tulle skirt, smiling.

People dressed in traditional European folk costumes dancing and shaking hands outdoors during a cultural event.

People in traditional European folk costumes dancing outdoors on a sunny day.

Children in traditional folk costumes holding violins in a room with white walls and colorful artwork.

People shopping at an outdoor market stall under a red canopy, with various items on display and several individuals browsing and purchasing.

Man and three young children dressed in white t-shirts and aprons with cabbage images, holding brooms, standing on street at outdoor market or festival; man holds large leafy vegetables like cabbage above his head, kids hold brooms, others in backgro

People gathered around cleaning up a street, some wearing traditional dresses, during a community event.

Group of young girls dressed in traditional Polish folk costumes, wearing floral crowns and sashes, standing outside a building, smiling for a photo.

A parade with a woman dressed in a red, white, and black costume, wearing a crown and a sash, riding on the back of a blue Ford Mustang convertible. The street is lined with people, food stands, and colorful signs, with trees and buildings in the bac

Why We Celebrate Houby Days

Houby Days is an annual celebration of Czech and Slovak heritage held in Historic Czech Village. Houby—pronounced “hoe-bee”—is the Czech word for mushrooms, which have long played an important role in Czech and Slovak culture.

Mushroom hunting is a tradition shared by generations of families. From early spring through late fall, people gather in the woods to walk, visit, and search for edible varieties. Children often learn at a young age which mushrooms are safe to gather, making the experience both a practical skill and a meaningful family activity.

In Cedar Rapids, Houby Days celebrates this tradition and the community it represents. The festival brings families and visitors together for a lively weekend filled with food, music, games, local vendors, carnival attractions, a balloon glow, and activities inspired by Czech and Slovak heritage.

More than a celebration of mushrooms, Houby Days is a celebration of family, culture, community, and the traditions that continue to bring people together.

2027 Houby Days Parade

Celebrate Czech and Slovak heritage at the 49th Annual Houby Days Parade on Saturday, May 15, 2027.

Presented by the Czech Village Association, Czech Heritage Foundation, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, The District: Czech Village & New Bohemia, Czech Village and New Bohemia Group, and the City of Cedar Rapids, the parade is one of the festival’s most anticipated traditions.

Community groups are invited to participate and showcase the spirit of their heritage. Families, schools, military organizations, youth groups, marching bands, decorated floats, and other community organizations are encouraged to join the celebration.

Parade Day Schedule

Float and participant staging begins at 8:30 a.m. along Second Street SE, beginning near the intersection of 16th Avenue SE.
The day’s festivities will begin with a flag-raising ceremony at the Kosek Bandstand, presented by local Scouts and the American Legion, with music from the Czech Plus Band.
The parade steps off at 10 a.m., crosses the Bridge of Lions, and continues through Czech Village to C Street SW.
The 2027 Grand Marshal and festival dedication will be announced at a later date. Cedar Rapids Mayor Tiffany O’Donnell will also join the celebration.
Come support the community, celebrate Czech and Slovak culture, and help make Czech Village a destination for visitors from near and far.

THANK YOU TO OUR MEMBERS & SPONSORS

Business card for Czech Village Association, Cedar Rapids, IA, with coat of arms featuring a white lion on a red shield, contact email czechvillageassociation@gmail.com.

Traffic sign with black border, reading 'ADVANCED TRAFFIC CONTROL' with an arrow pointing right, and below it in bold, the name 'Wes Pudil'.

Sign for Webb's Transmission with address 3601 J St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

A diverse family of four, including an elderly man, a woman, and two children, smiling and interacting outdoors with a financial advisor. Text overlay reads 'Focus. Plan. Thrive.' and includes a QR code, contact info, and website for Premier Investme

Flyer for Czech Village & New Bohemia Group in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, announcing upcoming events and community activities, including painted pianos, block parties, and family events.

Sign for Merle Norman Cosmetics & Wigs in Czech Village, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, celebrating 25 years in 2024 with contact info and address.

Business card for Marie's Jewelry and Accessories, featuring the name, phone number 319-393-1370, address 2170 Blairs Ferry Rd, Hiawatha, IA 52233, and a QR code.

A promotional flyer for GROW, Kazimour Farm & Orchard, featuring their mission and inviting people to join for apple season in fall, with text about supporting adults with disabilities and a website link.

Display of Czech garnet and Moldavite jewelry, European glass and crystal glassware, including a green and purple glass, decanters, and a mosaic box, with promotional information for Zech Cottage, an antique store established in 1975.

Advertisement for All Weather Property Care, offering lawn care, pressure washing, gutter cleaning, snow removal, and home repairs. Contact info and phone number included.

Advertisement for Schumacher Carpets & More, a family-owned business founded in 1987, located at 622 1st Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405, offering commercial and residential flooring, free estimates, contact number 319-297-7137, and email store@schuma

Event poster for 'Up N Smokin' BBQ Open Jam' featuring talented local musicians and an all-you-can-eat BBQ buffet, happening on May 16th at 7:00 PM at 92 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids. Includes a microphone image and musical notes.

Blue promotional sign for LO Hat Co. offering custom hats, boots, gifts, and more with contact info and location at 73 16th Ave SW.

Sign with white text on a maroon background that reads "Papich-Kuba Funeral Service"

A coat of arms featuring a white lion with a crown and a vertical forked tail on a red shield, surrounded by wheat, flowers, and foliage.

Sign for Vintage Market in Cedar Rapids, offering clothing, gifts, collectibles, homewear, and furniture, with a tagline 'Cedar Rapids' Greatest Thrift' and mentions of records, jewelry, toys, and 50 mouth more.

Business card for Sweet Mercantile, an ice cream shop called Sweetie's, located at 98 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404. The card features a girl holding an ice cream cone and has decorative black, red, and white border design.

Advertisement for Rick Freese Well Drilling featuring a red and a white truck with drilling equipment and a man working nearby. The ad mentions services like well, pump, and septic, with contact information and an address in Palo, Iowa.

Advertisement for Health Hut, a health food store in Cedar Rapids, LA, featuring products like vitamins, CBD, essential oils, body oils, teas, dried herbs, snacks, candles, incense, soaps, gift baskets, and kolaches. The store is depicted with a stor

A bank teller in a checkered shirt hands a card to a smiling woman in a yellow sweater. The scene takes place in a bank lobby with a man in a suit observing and smiling.

Mobile-friendly website for Piersall Law Firm, P.C., offering legal services in estate planning, real estate, and taxes, with contact information and a call-to-action button.

Close-up of a business card for Douglas R. Drury, LPA, with an American flag background. The card includes contact information and website details.

Magazine cover featuring women in gold bikinis, with the title 'Bronzed & Bougie' in elegant script.

Advertisement for Daisy, a store selling clothing, accessories, gifts, and home decor, with a daisy flower image and black-and-white floral background.