More than 20,000 people will gather in the small central Texas town of West, to eat kolaches, Polka dance, watch live musical performances, and ultimately — give back to the town that suffered a devastating loss.Despite the fertilization plant explosion that happened in April, West, Texas’s annual event, WestFest must go on. WestFest is a Czech/Polka festival held during Labor Day weekend that celebrates the culture of the small town with dancing, food, arts and crafts, a Miss WestFest pageant, and much more.While the town was experiencing first-hand the loss of neighbors, homes, and clarity, the nation was responding in big numbers to help the town of 2,000-plus. According to the American Red Cross website, the nonprofit organization has donated more than 18,600 meals and snacks to the city and more than 19,400 hygiene-relief items.Giving BackBecause of the town’s fatal explosion, many thought that WestFest would not happen in 2013. WestFest’s Facebook page put those rumors to rest, posting that this year’s event will be one to remember. “We would like to set the record straight, the 38th annual WestFest will be scheduled as planned this Labor Day Weekend,” the site’s Facebook page states. “We have a lot of exciting bands lined up this year and are anticipating this will be one for the record books.” Several bands are scheduled to play for the West, Texas crowd, including The Cody Johnson Band, Turnpike Troubadours, Brave Combo and Cory Morrow.Four months after the tragedy, people are looking forward to celebrating the Czech culture, while simultaneously helping a town that could use some aid. WestFest, a 37-year-old tradition, offers several opportunities for people from within the community — and from outside — to donate their time and/or money.Brian Muska, promotions director of WestFest, says that the annual event is always looking for volunteers to help with parking, ticket sales, and more. “We are a nonprofit organization,” Muska says, “and all of our proceeds go back to the community. Whether that’s Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, high school booster clubs, you name it, we’ve probably donated to it here in West.” Friday’s night’s admission is $15 for adults and free for children, while Saturday and Sunday’s admission is $8 for adults and $6 for children ages 6 to 12.Remembering the LostMuska says that the event is working on a memorial ceremony for the 14 people killed and the 200-plus that were injured that fateful night. Every year the WestFest parade has an honorary marshal and this year the event will honor the fallen firefighters who helped protect the town during the fertilizer explosion.If interested in attending the event or volunteering, visit WestFest’s website or call its office at 254-826-5058.
