The Harvest Festival organized by the Pilsen Region for the fourth time was this year joined with an important event in beef cattle breeding – 10th Mrákov Exhibition of Holstein Friesian cattle… The whole village of Mrákov near Domažlice was interested in the festival and contest exhibition held on Wednesday, 17 September, 2014.
Councillor of the Pilsen Region Václav Štekl together with other guests opened the 4th Harvest Festivel and 10th Exhibition of Holstein Friesian cattle.
Preparation of a harvest wreath.
At the festival, Deputy President of the Pilsen Region Jiří Struček in the role of the farmer took a harvest wreath uttering the same words the farmer did in the year 1925. Deputy President Zdeňka Lišková undertook the role of the farmer’s wife. Passing of the wreaths was the capstone of the harvest parade that set off shortly after midday from the Municipal Office in Mrákov. The parade, watched by hundreds of spectators, was led by two horse-pulled carriages, then a carriage with a band and a decorated harvest carriage followed by the village youth wearing traditional costumes from the Chodsko Region.
Passing of the harvest wreath to Deputy Presidents Jiří Struček and Zdeňka Lišková.
The passing of the harvest wreath to the farmer and a straw bouquet to the farmer’s wife resembled a theatre performance. The feast accompanied with songs and dance finished at 1 p.m. and then the participants as well as performers could view and taste everything that was on offer, including traditional cakes, sausages from the local producer ZOD Mrákov and other regional foods. An educational farmer trail for children or an exhibition of up-to-date and historic agriculture machinery were prepared. More than a thousand people enjoyed the afternoon concert of Jakub Smolík.
Jakub Smolík made the visitors sing.
The venue of the Harvest Festival also hosted the 10th Mrákov Exhibition of Holstein Friesian cattle where more than a hundred of Holstein Friesian cows were presented. The jury chose the most beautiful champions during the show. The cow with catalogue number 49 from Starý Klíčov farm owned by ZOD Mrákov won the Red Holstein Friesian Champion title and the cow with catalogue number 116 from Srby farm of Meclovská, a.s. company won the Black Holstein Friesian Champion title.
The exhibition of Holstein Friesian cattle takes places every two years.
In 2013, the Harvest Festival of the Pilsen Region was joined with Horní Bříza vintage and exhibition of grapes. In 2012, the harvest festival was held in Klatovy and the program included the republic championship in ploughing, and the first Harvest Festival of the Pilsen Region was held in Chanovice and its skansen.