Wilber, NE

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Wilber, Nebraska ready for 61st Czech Festival

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2023 Wilber Czech Days Parade

WILBER, Neb. — News Channel Nebraska is televising the 2023 Wilber Czech Days Parade starting at 2 PM CT. The event will also be streamed online.

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Hotel Wilber continues to welcome visitors



WILBER, Neb. (KOLN) - During a visit to the official Czech Capital of the U.S.A., we learned how the Hotel Wilber continues to be a vibrant spot in southeast Nebraska for coffee, pastries and relaxation. To get more details on the hotel, we talked with Randy Kozeal, who is the president of the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber. The non-profit organization owns the hotel, and a few other buildings in the community.

“On this site in the 1870′s, the first hotel was built out of wood,” Kozeal said. “There was a fire in the chimney, and that hotel burned down. So, the community gathered and decided to rebuild a hotel. The current structure we are in today was opened in 1895. It went through several owners or managers. The Barta family was the last owner, and they donated the hotel to the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber in 1978.” The Wilber Hotel is more than 100 years old. “It’s on the National Register of Historic Places,” Kozeal said. “When the Nebraska Czechs of Wilber received ownership, they went through the State Historical Society, received a grant, and did many improvements.” Now, there’s a coffee shop in the hotel. “The name of the coffee shop is ‘Ambition Coffee’. They serve fresh baked pastries. They are working to hopefully incorporate some hot breakfast items for people who stay at the hotel.”

The hotel is looked upon as a sort of bed and breakfast. “We have 12 rooms,” Kozeal said. “Those rooms are on the top floor, and we have a single executive suite on the main floor for people who can’t navigate steps. This hotel is a landmark. It offers people a chance to come to town, stay overnight, and check out the museum and clothing shops. Also, we continue to do upgrades when we get funding or grants to keep the hotel looking good.” By the way, here is something to put on your calendar. The 63rd Wilber Czech Festival will be held August 2-4. It’s always the first full weekend of August. The 2024 theme this year is “Together We Can”. The children’s parade is Friday, August 2 at 7 p.m. The general festival parade is Saturday and Sunday, August 3 and 4 at 2 p.m.