Alas, Democratic convention delegates will miss out on the big doings in Tabor this weekend. It’s the 70th annual Czech Days!
The event kicks off on Thursday night in Tabor with a craft fair, carnival rides, a baseball game, and fireworks(!). Friday and Saturday are the big days, culminating each night with the massive Beseda Dance, with 240 dancers in traditional Czech garb. Saturday night also brings the crowning of the 67th Czech Days Queen and the royalty coronation ball Saturday night. To top it off, the Tabor co-op fertilizer plant hosts a truck and tractor pull Sunday afternoon. (I challenge readers to come up with a more South Dakotan sentence than that.)
Frank Kloucek, who lives and breathes Czech Days, submits this note on the dedication of the event to longtime Tabor booster Leonard Cimpl:
As the 70th annual Czech Days approaches, the decision to dedicate the event to Leonard Cimpl was very appropriate. Leonard and his wife Mildred were Tabor Czech Days. They were the 24-7, 365-days-a year go-to persons concerning Tabor and Tabor Czech Days. Leonard served as Mayor and Mildred as Chamber Secretary for many years. Leonard loved baseball and the Tabor Bluebirds. Both loved the Beseda Dance. They received the Ben Black Elk state tourism award, a copy of the annual Tabor Czech Days proclamation, or the other numerous awards for Tabor. Both were very humble and quick to point out that Tabor Czech Days success was a result of the hard work and planning of many people not just them.
During the 22 year stint of Czech Days in Pierre Leonard would always have the honor of inviting everyone to Tabor Czech Days. His words were short and to the point. “We invite you to Tabor Czech Days on the third Friday and Saturday in June. You will have a really good time.” Czech Days has now mushroomed into a four-day celebration, which speaks highly of all the Tabor area residents who possess the love of Czech Days similar to Leonard and Mildred Cimpl.
The Cimpls distributed brochures and kolace [unofficial state pastry] and promoted Tabor for 22 years in the state capitol as part of the promotion of Czech Days.
Leonard put Tabor first. As Mayor, Czech Heritage board member, devoted Catholic Church member, American Legion officer, Chamber member, Tabor resident, and more, there was nothing he would not do for the good of Tabor. I remember well the long hours of self-less service he gave for the good of his community.
This 70th anniversary of Czech Days a warm invitation of “Vitame Vas welcome friend” is extended to you, your family and friends. The four-day event is this Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday June 14, 15, 16, and 17th. We honor Leonard Cimpl. Fond memories of him and one of the best cultural events in South Dakota live on [Frank Kloucek, note to Dakota Free Press, 2018.06.11].
Cimpl died last year in April, before his 69th Czech Days.
Dr. Bořek Lizec, Consul General of the Czech Republic in Chicago, and his wife Katerina will come all the way to Tabor to enjoy the festivities and chat with members and neighbors of the Czech community.
Mr. Kloucek does indeed eat much of the Tabor Czek days, but it is his way of trying to remain in the public eye after being booted from the legislatures after years of being the most ineffective one there. That record is, of course, currently being challenged. I suspect Mr. Kloucek would like to get back in before his record is crushed by Mr. Nelson.