The ZCBJ Lodge parade float is pulled down Clutier’s Main Street during the 2022 Clutier Fun Day parade. This year’s grand parade is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 5. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

CLUTIER – Although it has been known by several different titles through the years including Czech Day, Clutier’s annual town celebration has always had at least one abiding theme – to preserve the fun!

“Celebrations or community events have always been a part of Clutier,” Kathleen Brundage, president of ZCBJ Lodge which is coordinating the 2023 Clutier Fun Day, told the Telegraph recently. “Through the years the event names have changed, as well as the organizations coordinating the event. These events help to bring the community together. As our ad says – ‘Bringing the fun back to Clutier’ – is what we are trying to do.”

This year’s Clutier Fun Day is set for Saturday, Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. along downtown Main Street. As in years past there will be food, drinks, and a bicycle raffle taking place during that time period. In addition to local food vendors, the Tama County Cattlemen’s Association and La Terrazza will also be in attendance.

The ZCBJ Hall flea market will take place all day Saturday, too, while also being open the Friday evening prior beginning at 4 p.m. ahead of the annual Bohemian Plum Festival Committee band concert (see below for further information).

There are several new activities on Saturday this year, Brundage said, including free bouncy houses – one for toddlers and one for older children – from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Clutier Public Library’s annual Soup Day raffle quilt pictured recently. The quilt will be on display during Clutier Fun Day set for Saturday, Aug. 5. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Other free kids activities are set for 2-5 p.m. and include goat drop bingo, money scramble, a water balloon toss, and water balloon dodge.

While the Kiddie Parade will head down Main Street at noon like last year, the grand parade has been moved up from Saturday evening to 1 p.m.

“Regarding the parade, I’m trying to locate and have as many as possible [Century and Heritage Farm] owners represented,” Brundage said of the grand parade. “Also the only Clutier family-owned business for more than 100 years – Cizek Manufacturing owned by Delane Cizek of Toledo – and the newly chosen 2023 Tama County Fair Princess, Emily Hulme of Clutier.”

Any Century or Heritage Farm family is welcome to be a part of this year’s parade, Brundage added.

Later that evening, a free concert by the Des Moines-based band Radiotrain will take place from 7-10 p.m.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

While the ZCBJ Lodge is coordinating and organizing this year’s Fun Day with support from the local nonprofit Standing For Clutier, Brundage said the event is highly dependent on outside donations in order to make it free to the community.

“Donations are what puts this event on and [makes it] free to the public. With Clutier having no major businesses, a lot of business has to be done in Traer, Dysart, Tama, Toledo and Belle Plaine. That’s where the community spends their money so that’s where we turn to for donations.”

Bohemian Plum Festival band concert

This year’s Bohemian Plum Festival band concert – hosted by both the Clutier Betterment and Bohemian Plum Festival committees – is set to take place the evening prior to Fun Day.

The annual first-Friday-night-in-August concert which draws both Czech and non-Czech polka fans alike from all over the area will take place on Clutier’s Main Street beginning at 7 p.m. and will again feature the band Barefoot Becky.

Pork loins and signature Bohemian plum brats will be be grilled up and for sale Friday night, as well as hamburgers and hot dogs. Serving starts at 5 p.m. Czech bakery including kolaches and rohlicky will also be for sale.

The concert’s rain date is scheduled for August 18.

Be sure to bring a lawn chair and save your spot on Clutier’s Main Street!

Clutier Public Library Soup Day quilt raffle

For those who find themselves out and about in Clutier on Aug. 4 and 5, be sure to stop by the public library during open hours to purchase a raffle ticket – or several – as part of the library’s annual Soup/Election Day fundraiser.

This year’s raffle – which will be held as in years past at the American Legion Hall during the annual Soup Day fundraiser set for Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7 – features a stunning queen-sized quilt made with primarily blue and white floral fabrics. The utilitarian work of art was designed, pieced, and sewn by members of the Clutier Public Library Board.

The quilt is currently on display at the library located at 404 Main Street. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the library or from any board member including Barbara Morrison, Collette Wiebbecke, Melody Fassett, Kathy Sienknecht, April Krebsbach, or Deb Kupka.

“Every year I say the new quilt is the best one yet, and this one is, again, the best one yet,” library director Patti Kupka said.

While the library is usually closed on Fridays, Patti said she expects the quilt to be on display during Friday evening’s concert at a nearby table, as well as during the library’s Saturday open hours from 9 a.m. to noon.