Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum Creates Setting
The Czech Village, located in the City of La Grange Fairgrounds, was the setting for the 16th semi-annual family reunion of the descendants of Filip and Johanna Bucek held on July 10 and 11.
Filip emigrated from the Frydek region ,of what is now the Czech Republic, in 1860 arriving through the Port of Galveston before settling in Fayette County.
The very first of these reunions was held in Schulenburg in 1996, with the late Roy Bucek Jr., a well-known Schulenburg businessman, serving as the driving force behind the event. This year’s reunion was hosted by Carol and David Bucek Jr. of Houston.
The festivities began Friday evening with a pre-reunion family gathering at the Polka Lovers Club of Texas Museum. Gary and Carol Bucek, officers of the museum, assisted in hosting the event. Organizers served a buffet featuring chicken salad, cold cuts, croissants, assorted condiments, cookies, wine, beer, and other refreshments for approximately 35 family members.
Entertainment was provided by veteran accordionist Gene “Squeezeman” Hackemack, whose performance featured classic Czech favorites reminiscent of the popular dance bands of the 1950s and 1960s. Family members enjoyed clapping along, tapping their feet, and dancing throughout the evening. As always, the Chicken Dance proved to be a crowd favorite.
On Saturday, 85 descendants gathered in the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center for the reunion’s main meal, program, and activities. The entree was catered by Koopmann Catering of Schulenburg and featured schnitzel with cream gravy, dinner salad, sauerkraut, green beans, and buttered potatoes. Family members contributed a large and impressive assortment of homemade desserts.
A silent auction provided both entertainment and fundraising opportunities to help support future reunions, while relatives enjoyed visit-ing, sharing memories, and catching up with one another. Among those attending, one of the oldest descendants was 86 year old Billy Bucek from Schulenburg.
The reunion’s reserved block of hotel rooms was completely booked, with additional family members securing overflow accommodations throughout the City of La Grange and Schulenburg. Following the successful gathering, attendees voted to return to La Grange in July 2028, as they look forward to once again celebrating their family’s heritage and enjoying time together.