The 41st Houby Fest comes to Cicero and Berwyn next month, and this year, it is all about the music.

Dario Solano, the executive director of Berwyn Main Street, said people should come to the event for the music and entertainment they would find in the Czech Oasis, taking place this year at the intersection of Elmwood Avenue and Cermak Road in Berwyn.

“We’re going to have American English, a big name,” Solano said. “They do Beatles covers.”

Other musical entertainment in the Oasis will include a polka band, the Czech Musician’s Club, and the International Guard band.

On the Berwyn side of the event — the festival is a joint effort between the city of Berwyn and the town of Cicero — patrons will be able to visit the Mush-Room for musical entertainment.

“The tradition started from the heavy Czechoslovakian presence in Berwyn and Cicero,” Solano said. “The event is to honor and remember our fellow Bohemians.”

Houby means mushroom in Czech, and some food vendors will cook with mushrooms.
Klas Restaurant, 5734 Cermak Road, Cicero, will cook traditional Czech fare, and the Tamale Hut Cafe, 8300 W. Cermak Road, North Riverside, will be serving up mushroom tamales.

The celebration will open with the crowning of the International Houby Queen 2009. Young women between the ages of 16 and 21 who live or work in the Berwyn, Cicero, Riverside, North Riverside, Lyons, Oak Park or Brookfield communities will compete for the title.

Mary Esther Hernandez, executive director for the Cicero Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the Houby Queen is not your average pageant winner.

“It’s not about looks, it’s not a beauty contest,” Hernandez said. “It’s about your grades, and what kind of person you are.”

The young women will be judged on merit, academics, community service activities and a talent, such as singing or dancing. The winner will receive a $1,000 academic scholarship for college.

Owners of Cermak Road businesses will hold a sidewalk sale Oct. 2., and other area businesses will join them Oct. 3.

A parade will take place at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 4. The parade will travel down Cermak Road from 56th Court to Riverside Drive.

Festival organizers are still looking for volunteers to help with the pageant and vendor set up.

They are also looking for vendors to sell food and crafts and to donate gifts and funding for the pageant.

Vendor applications are due Sept. 20.

For more information, or to sign up as a vendor or volunteer, visit cicerochamber.org, myspace.com/houbyfestival or call (708) 863-6000.