Ennis, Texas

National Polka Festival

Problem

Years of disinvestment (and being overlooked) flatten morale, drain talent, and blur shared identity.

Solution

The National Polka Festival is a three-day Memorial Day weekend festival in Ennis, Texas, started in 1967 by three local men and the Chamber of Commerce. It combines a Saturday morning parade through downtown, free downtown events with street dancing, and paid polka dancing in three Czech fraternal halls (KJT, Sokol, SPJST or Knights of Columbus) with Czech food and costumes; the organizers require Czech themes for parade entries, street dancing and bands.

Patterns used: Local Pride Rituals