Audio By Carbonatix
One of the largest polka festivals in the country started in Ennis back in 1966, based on a dream (an idea actually) and the fact that people have loved to polka since the dance was born in 19th-century Czech culture. When you’re standing in Ennis, eating a kolache, watching couples in bright-colored clothes dance, it’s the Czechs you’ll want to thank. Everybody from the Irish to us Texans have adapted the polka to fit their own musical needs. There’s even a polka for “In Heaven There Is No Beer.” (We don’t owe them for polka dots though–that one goes to those inventive British). The 43rd Annual National Polka Festival is being held in Ennis, and it’s a great time to turn out and see some fine foot-stepping and maybe do a bit of polka-ing yourself. There’ll be dance halls, dance contests, traditional Czech costumes and food, a horseshoe tournament (for those who like a challenge) and even a Polkafest Run (for those who like a challenge paired with running shorts and cardio health). The festival, located in downtown Ennis, begins Friday at 7 p.m. and runs through Sunday. Tickets are $7 Friday, $12 Saturday and $10 Sunday. Call 972-878-4748, or nationalpolkafestival.com for more information.
May 22-24, 2009
