2023 Wilber Czech Festival completed...Texas candidate named queen

WILBER – A southern state contestant is the 2023 Miss Czech-Slovak U.S. pageant winner.

Miss Texas, Destiny Hollingsworth will serve as the Miss Czech Slovak pageant ambassador for 2023-2024.   She competed with eight other contestants during the annual Wilber Czech Festival national pageant…..the final night of the competition moved from the Outdoor Theatre to Wilber-Clatonia High’s School’s auditorium, because of Sunday afternoon rain.

First-Runner-Up in the pageant was Miss South Dakota, Drew Hejna.  She was also named Miss Congeniality.  Second Runner-Up honors went to Miss Illinois, Lauren Luchetti.

The Czech Spirit award was presented to Miss Minnesota, Sarah Holicky.

Also competing for various honors and awards were contestants from Nebraska, Kansas, Wisconsin, Missouri and Oklahoma.  This was the 36^th year for the national pageant….which is one of the closing events of the Czech Festival.  A fundraiser brought in $1,800 for the annual pageant. 

Sunday’s parade drew thousands who braved an afternoon bout of rain showers as the parade was nearing its conclusion.   The weekend featured a Saturday parade, polka bands, accordion music, Czech food and performances by junior, senior and alumni dancers…..along with marching and performances by the popular Wilber-Clatonia Alumni Band and the Milligan Brass Band, among others.   Vendors and a carnival lined Main Street of Wilber during the three days of the event.