The beginning of the National Polka Festival in Ennis, Texas began as an idea. Raymond Zapletal, Len Gehrig, and Joe Liska of Ennis had been to other cities and seen the large response to polka bands from the people of Czechoslovakian descent, and they believed the people could be brought to their small town of Ennis for the same reasons. So in 1967, Zapletal, Gehrig, and Liska brought their idea to the Chamber of Commerce manager Jack McKay. If the idea were to succeed, it would require the joint effort of the Chamber and the citizens of Ennis. Jack McKay agreed the idea could greatly benefit Ennis and the Czechoslovakian community in the area, and one of the largest polka festival in the country had its' beginning. Zapletal, Gehrig, and Liska agreed to take care of getting the bands for Ennis' fraternal halls and the Chamber agreed in turn to organize the parade and downtown festivities. Within three years the festival was a raging success with as many as 30,000 people attending from all over the country to enjoy music and entertainment at the four halls.

Our festival continues in tradition and style similar to those early celebrations. The founders and their successors have insisted on maintaining the authenticity and values of the Czech tradition even today. All entries of the parade, street dancing, and bands performing must have Czech themes and play Czech music. The festival has taken years of work from the Polka Festival Committee, Chamber of Commerce, and the Ennis Convention & Visitors Bureau.. But thanks to the work of these people, this festival today is one of the largest of its kind in the United States attracting as many as 50,000 people , still has the feel of "a little bit of old Czechoslovakia". Ennis is a very unique city in that it has three beautiful fraternal halls. The Czech citizens of Ennis support them. They hold many functions such as weddings, dances, anniversaries, meetings, banquets, and festivals. They are a huge part of the National Polka Festival in Ennis, Texas.

Over the years the festival has had to change with the time, but all for the good. Today they have Grammy award winning bands, as well as bands from across Texas, the United States and the Czech Republic. This is one of the only festivals that have three spacious halls with large dance floors where you can dance and enjoy anything from a good polka, waltz, or even a folk dance. The festival has one of the biggest parades in the surrounding areas. After the parade there is an abundance of activities to be enjoyed by the entire family. You can ride the free shuttle buses from downtown to all of the fraternal halls. Thank you to everyone that has made all past years of Czech traditions and celebration possible and we look forward to many more years of fun, food, and dancing at the National Polka Festival® in Ennis, Texas!

Schedule of Events:

May 25, 2023

7:00am - 11:00 pm: Polka Pre-Party - Czech and Then Some

May 26, 2023

6:00pm - 7:00pm: Stribrnanka
7:30pm - 11:00pm: Czechaholics
9:00pm King & Queen Dance Contest

May 27, 2023

9:00am - 7:00pm: Vendors & Pivo (Beer) Pavilion at Downtown Ennis
10:00am: Polka Parade at Downtown Ennis
11:00am - 1:30pm: Vaneks Of West At The Sokol Hall
11:30am - 3:00pm: Mark Halata & Texavia At The Kjt #35 Hall
11:30am - 12:30pm: Stribrnanka At The Spjst #25 Hall
1:00pm - 3:00pm: Praha Brothers At The Spjst #25 Hall
12:00pm - 3:30pm: Texas Sound Check at Downtown Ennis
1:00pm: Kolache Eating Contest at Downtown Ennis
2:30pm - 5:00pm: Texas Dutchmen At The Sokol Hall
4:00pm - 7:30pm: Jodie Mikula Orchestra At The Kjt #35 Hall
4:00pm - 7:30pm: Fritz Hodde & Fabulous 6 At The Spjst #25 Hall
4:30pm - 7:00pm: Alpenmuzikanten at Downtown Ennis
8:30pm - 12:00am: Brave Combo At The Kjt #35 Hall
8:30pm - 12:00am: Ennis Czech Boys At The Spjst #25 Hall
8:00pm - 12:00am: Country Cmorert: Mike Ryan With Special Guest Alex Meixner At The Sokol Hall

Polkafest Run
Annual Ennis Polkafest Run is hosted by the Rotary Club of Ennis. The races (1-mile Fun Run, 5k, and 10k) begin on the far west side of Ennis, on Yorkstown Drive, near Lonestar Fitness Center. The race will wind its way through residential streets and finish on the east side of Lonestar Fitness Center. Post race activities include: food, drinks and live entertainment.

5:45 a.m - 6:45 a.m: Registration Packet Pickup
7:00 a.m: 10k starts
7:10 a.m: 1-mile Fun Run
7:30 a.m: 5k starts
8:30 a.m: Awards
Click here for Registration

Downtown Fun Parade
On Saturday morning, floats, bands, and colorful costumes will kick-off the downtown festivities. The parade traditionally includes something for visitors of all ages. Enjoy the music of our polka bands riding on decorated floats or the sounds of our award winning Ennis High School Marching Band. The Shriners make their annual appearance, as well as celebrities, public officials, motorcycles, horseback riders, clowns, kids, and seniors! This giant parade twists through historic downtown Ennis and is sure to please.
Click here to download a parade entry form or call the Ennis Chamber of Commerce at (972) 878-2625 for more information.

Kolache Eating Contest
1:00 p.m.
Don't miss the Annual Kolache Eating Contest. Prizes will be given to Men's, Women's, Youth Boy and Youth Girl Individual Champion. Register at the Chamber of Commerce until Friday at noon. Register at the Downtown Stage until Saturday at noon.

May 28, 2023

9:00am: Polka Mass at St John Church
10:00am - 1:00pm: Dujka Brothers - Live Broadcast Kbec Polka Party(Live Broadcast Until 10am -12pm) At The Kjt #35 Hall
11:00am- 5:00pm: Vendors & Pivo (Beer) Pavilion at Downtown Ennis
12:00pm- 3:30pm: Czechaholics at Downtown Ennis
11:30am - 12:30pm: Stribrnanka At The Sokol Hall
1:00pm - 8:15pm: Czech & Then Some / Alex Meixner At The Sokol Hall
1:30pm - 4:30pm: The Moravians At The Kjt #35 Hall
9:00pm - 11:30pm: Brave Combo At The Sokol Hall

?Street Dance at the Pivo Pavilion
Dance the streets of Downtown Ennis on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Admission is Free so come and Czech it out.

?Arts & Crafts, Food, Shopping, Kids Activities more
Shop the streets of Downtown Ennis on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. from vendors with unique works of art, fashion favorites and more. Kids will have a good time playing and participating in activities such as face painting, a rock climbing wall, and bounce houses. Enjoy great fair foods like corn dogs, funnel cakes and fresh squeezed lemonade as well as your traditional Czech favorites like klobase sandwiches, klobase on a stick, kolaches and the downtown Pivo (Beer) Pavilion.

Date: May 25-28, 2023

Location: Various Venues in Ennis, TX 75119

Buy Tickets

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