Flatonia, TX – Flatonia’s annual festival, Czhilispiel, was recognized with five awards from the Texas Association of Fairs and Events (TAF&E). The Ray Cammack Shows Awards of Excellence in Marketing and Communications, were presented during a breakfast at the TAF&E convention on Saturday, January 13, 2012.
Six volunteers from the Czhilispiel committee were in attendance at the convention and present to accept the awards, which included:
- First Place for Best Online Advertising (for festivals with attendance under 50,000) – by Veronica Garcia of Houston.
- First Place for Other Merchandise (for festivals with attendance under 50,000) – by Flatonia Women's Action Guild Society (WAGS).
- Second Place for Best Promotional Advertising - Outdoor (for festivals with attendance under 50,000) – by Czhilispiel Chairman David Urban and Oliver Meissner of San Antonio.
- Second Place for Best Newspaper Ad – Color (for festivals with attendance under 50,000) – by Veronica Garcia of Houston.
- Third Place for Best Newspaper Ad – Black & White (for festivals with attendance under 50,000) – created by Veronica Garcia of Houston.
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| Pictured, left to right: Megan Bryant, Dawn Guzman, David Urban, Patty Pritchard, De Rose Janecka, all of the Czhilispiel Committee |
“We competed against festivals from Texas and Oklahoma in the category of Festivals of 50,000 or Less in Attendance. We entered eleven entries and came home with five awards. I feel this is a big accomplishment being one of the smallest festivals in the state. This shows how dedicated our committee is in striving to make Czhilispiel one of the best festivals in the area and in Texas, “ said David Urban, Entertainment Chairman of Flatonia Czhilispiel.
Czhilispiel 39, held in October 2011, was a huge success, with net profits over $28,000. Approximately fifteen percent of these profits are assigned to the Czhilispiel Committee to designate in ways they feel are appropriate. The remainder is designated by the Flatonia Chamber Board of Directors.
“We attribute the success of Czhilispiel to all the dedicated volunteers who work diligently throughout the year to deliver such a great event,” states David Urban, “Without all the help, there it would not be possible to continue to grow Czhilispiel year after year.”
Czhilispiel began as a fundraiser to help fund a local Flatonia student’s medical school education. At the time Flatonia needed a doctor, so the residents organized the Czech heritage festival and chili cook-off, Czhilispiel. The student agreed to serve the community for at least five years after completing medical school, but ended up staying longer. Czhilispiel continues to use proceeds from the event to benefit local needs, whether they be for students or community services. Czhilispiel 40 is scheduled for October 26, 27, and 28, 2012.
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