For nearly five decades, Sokol Greater Cleveland has kept Czech and Slovak holiday traditions alive with its annual Czech Holiday Fair. This year’s celebration takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bohemian National Hall, 4939 Broadway Ave., in Cleveland’s historic Slavic Village.
Family‑run vendors and handcrafted gifts
Organizer Mary Jo McCarthy, a second‑generation Czech‑American whose parents helped launch the fair in the 1970s, says the event has grown to include a mix of longtime artisans and new local vendors. “You start seeing new faces, and everybody’s always amazed when they walk in that building because they’ve never been there before,” she explains.
Visitors can purchase wooden toys, hand‑painted ornaments, crystal, pottery, garnets, and traditional Czech liquors and beers—all imported directly from the Czech Republic. McCarthy notes a regular customer, known only as Art, who returns each year to buy ornaments for his nieces and nephews.
Traditional Czech cuisine on offer
The fair’s kitchen committee, a dedicated group of about 30 volunteers ranging from their early 30s to seniors in their 90s, prepares a variety of holiday foods year‑round. Signature dishes include vanochy (a braided sweet bread with candied fruit), chlebichy (bread slices topped with potato salad and optional salami, pimentos, egg slices, or pickles), and kuba, a meatless barley casserole with mushrooms, onions, and marjoram that many recall from family Christmas lunches.
For the adventurous, the fair also offers dršťková polévka, a traditional tripe soup seasoned with paprika, onions, and garlic. While some patrons swear by its flavor, McCarthy admits she herself has never tried it because of the ingredients.
Heritage and history
Beyond food and gifts, the fair provides a cultural experience. Historian Tom Kaschalk, who often signs books at the event, says walking through Bohemian National Hall feels like a step back into old Cleveland. The surrounding Slavic Village neighborhood, he adds, is “full of stories.”
McCarthy also shares Czech holiday customs such as the “Mikuláš” tradition—Czech Saint Nicholas delivering treats on Dec. 5—and the playful shoe‑throwing ritual where unmarried women toss a shoe over their shoulder; a toe pointing toward the front door is said to predict marriage within the year.
Community spirit
Many attendees view the fair as a mini‑reunion. “It’s like a little mini‑reunion every year when you see these people and you get to know them,” McCarthy says. The event’s blend of food, music, and handcrafted items continues to draw families, seniors, and newcomers alike, reinforcing Cleveland’s rich Eastern European heritage.
The Czech Holiday Fair is open to the public, free of charge, and welcomes anyone interested in experiencing authentic Czech and Slovak holiday traditions. For more information, visit the Sokol Greater Cleveland website or contact the organizers directly.
Original reporting: Signal Cleveland — read the source article.
