Celebrate held in Caldwell, Kolache Capital of Texas

By MINDY POEHL | Central Texas Edition

Workers from the Kolache Kitchen, located in Temple, are busy selling kolaches to a long line of kolache lovers during the Kolache Fest held in Caldwell, Sept. 11 . -- Photo by Mindy Poehl

Sept. 30, 2004 - It was a time of celebration for the citizens of Caldwell and the surrounding areas on Sept. 11. The town celebrated Kolache Fest, the annual outdoor festival that celebrates the tasty, rich pastries, filled with many flavors like apple, strawberry, apricot, cheese, ham and sausage, that are craved by many. This was the town's 20th annual celebration.

The downtown main streets of Caldwell were filled with 250 booths, selling everything from organic bath and body products, woven baskets, iron and woodwork products, to handmade quilts and henna tattoos.

Caldwell is known as the "Kolache Capital of Texas" and people at the festival sold freshly baked and assorted kolaches throughout the day, until the booths sold out of the town's favorite treat.

A kolache eating contest was included in the festivities, allowing brave contestants to quickly chow down on as many kolaches as possible. Live polka bands played through the night, drawing in listeners of all ages. A few people dressed in Czech costumes roamed around the grounds, visiting booths, eating kolaches and dancing to the polka music.

A play area was designated for the kids, including a blow up jumping pit, a merry-go-round and a train ride up and down the downtown square. The children filled up on sweets, such as funnel cakes, cotton candy, snow cones, and of course, kolaches, from the vendors. They also got their hair spray painted a rainbow of colors, got their faces painted and played with unique toys, such as wooden guns sold in the booths.

Antique machines, like tractors and corn mills, filled an empty field, as well as an antique car show held two blocks down from the festival.