Vrazels' Polka Band, and many more bands from across Texas, the United States and the Czech Republic have played the festival. The festival receives advertising support from 96.3 FM KSCS. This is one of the only festivals that have three spacious halls with large dance floors where you can dance and enjoy anything from a good polka, waltz, or even a folk dance. On Friday night of the festival a king and queen dance contest was added in 1986 to start the festivities. The festival has one of the biggest parades in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. After the parade there is an abundance of activities held in downtown Ennis to be enjoyed by the entire family. Raymond Zapletal's son, Danny Zapletal, was the Executive Director for 25 years retiring in 2016. Danny continues to help in any way he can with the festival and the committee. Raymond's daughter, Michelle Zapletal Slovak, is the secretary of the festival and has been since 1995. Details The three-day event is every Memorial Day weekend. Festivities begin with music and a king and queen contest on Friday night, followed by a 5K and 10K race and a 1K walk starting at 7 a.m. weather permitting. Tent vendors wind through the streets offering a variety of goods from hand crafted art to clothes and food. The party then moves to the community halls in town, Sokol, KJT and Knights of Columbus, where bands will perform and Czech food is offered throughout the weekend. Free shuttle buses are offered from the halls to downtown through Saturday and Sunday. Further details The parade will start promptly at 10 am, rain or shine. The parade begins on N. Clay Street and runs through downtown on Ennis Avenue, turning south onto Main street where it ends. The city will have closed off parking along the route and crowds will begin gathering around 9 o'clock to get a good vantage point. Anywhere along Ennis Avenue is good but the area around the intersection with Dallas Street provides some of the best background for good photos. Street parking is available on the adjacent downtown streets and on the grass along the railroad where the parade ends. The parade is fairly lengthy and chairs and umbrellas (for sun or rain) are advisable. Browse the vendor tents before the parade, but remember to stake out a good parade viewing place before hand. Weather