Milligan Brewfest: Celebrating Czech heritage, while helping a historic landmark
If you know anything about Southeast Nebraska, you know Czech culture is something to be celebrated.
By News Channel NebraskaMILLIGAN, NEB. - If you know anything about Southeast Nebraska, you know Czech culture is something to be celebrated.
Milligan is set to do just that this weekend.
“We really try to keep an authentic feel when it comes to this… We just want the whole family to come out and learn the Czech heritage.”
Eric Johnson is a Community Club Member for the town, which sits about 40 miles southwest of Seward. Milligan is preparing for the St. Weiceslas Brewfest this Saturday. While it’s an opportunity for the town of 250 to come together for a late summer celebration, it’s also going to helping a historic part of the town.
Established in 1929, the Milligan Auditorium has been a landmark and funds from brewfest are going towards a new HVAC system.
“As years go by, it gets a little stuffy in there so the HVAC system needs to be replaced,” Johnson said. “We go through some fundraising efforts and this is a big one to help offset the cost for the HVAC system and the many events it holds throughout the year.”
Across the region, Czech culture is beloved. Johnson explains why it’s important to southeast Nebraska.
“Czech culture has been a staple not just for Milligan, Wilber, Dwight any of these little communities holding on to tradition,” Johnson said. “It’s an opportunity, it’s another way of life, it’s a way to celebrate those who basically created a bunch of this towns.”