Polka favorite Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen performs last August as part of Clutier’s annual Bohemian Plum Festival concert. This year’s concert will take place on Friday, July 31. All are welcome! PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

CLUTIER – After jubilantly celebrating 125 years as a community last summer, Clutier will not be hosting its annual Fun Day celebration in 2026. But worry not, polka fans, the annual Bohemian Plum Festival street concert is still a go for later this month.

“Sorry, but there will be no Fun Days this year,” Clutier Mayor Linda Pearson posted to Facebook in mid-June in response to a question posed in the “We Love Clutier IA” group. While the mayor did not elaborate, a lack of volunteers appears to have been the deciding factor behind the decision. The tiny but mighty community’s annual celebration has traditionally taken place on the first Saturday in August.

Fears that the annual Bohemian Plum Festival polka concert featuring Mt. Vernon-based Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe Dutchmen would also be canceled were soon allayed, with the concert committee announcing the free event will take place one week earlier than usual on Friday, July 31. The evening begins at 5 p.m. with Czech bakery sales, followed by hamburger and Indian taco sales starting at 5:30 p.m.

Also at 5:30 p.m., the country-gospel trio Storm Seymour, Jonah Seymour, and Josh Grimes will perform as the opening act, after which Barefoot Becky will take to Main Street at 7 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and claim your spot for what is sure to be a great night of small-town summer entertainment amid the backdrop of the Bohemian Alps.

ZCBJ Hall events

One week after the Bohemian Plum Festival concert, Z.C.B.J. Lodge No. 104 will host a live pro wrestling event on Friday, Aug. 7, beginning at 5:30 p.m. on the street outside the Hall. There will be free concessions sponsored by BetterLife, including food and drinks.

Additional Z.C.B.J. Hall events scheduled for 2026 include a consignment and implement auction on Tuesday, Sept. 29, beginning at 10 a.m.; a fundraising concert (freewill donation) featuring Barefoot Becky & the Ivanhoe on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 1-4 p.m.; Haunt the Hall on Friday, Oct. 30; and Deck the Hall on Friday, Dec. 11, beginning at 5 p.m.

For more information on Z.C.B.J. Hall events, refer to the organization’s Facebook page (Clutier ZCBJ Lodge No. 104 / BetterLife) or contact President Kathleen Brundage.